It would be wonderful if we could go back, use our time more effectively and take advantage of missed opportunities. If we could take back our words as if they were never said. Unfortunately, it does not work that way. You can never get back time, words, or opportunities.
Time: How you spend your time is more important than how you spend your money. Don’t waste your time so that you look back with regrets and sorrow. Make the best use of it to enhance relationships and increase productivity. Do not procrastinate. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Time spent with loved ones is never a waste as this is the origin of memories never forgotten.
Words: What you say cannot be taken back. Even an apology may soften the blow but the words are not forgotten. Words convey every emotion and message whether we intend it or not. Read between the lines. Be aware of your tone. How we say something is just as important as what we say. Yelling is never appropriate unless the person is deaf or the house is on fire. Talk to others with respect and kindness. Encourage. Be patient. Your words can make or break someone’s day. Your words can affect how someone feels about themself and how they feel about you. That includes your children. That includes your spouse or significant other. Familiarity does not mean it is ok to verbally abuse or disrespect someone. Don’t use your words to criticize or put someone down in order to make yourself look better. A person NEVER looks good trying to make someone else look bad. Use your words wisely. Keep it clean. Keep it kind.
Opportunity: Life is full of opportunities. Every single day. We have opportunities to change, improve, show kindness, show God’s love, make job changes, further our education, learn a new job skill, do a good job, be a good student, set a good example, exercise, lose weight, start a new hobby, and many, many more. Everything is an opportunity. We pick and choose which we want to take advantage of. And we reap the consequences of the ones we do and do not choose. Will we grow? Will we become a better version of ourselves? Or will we remain as is? If we do nothing different today, tomorrow nothing changes. It can certainly help to set goals to work towards. Write them down and put them on the refrigerator with a magnet. Whether it is losing 20 pounds, taking classes on line, or anything else that constant reminder can help us stay focused. Re-evaluate what your want your life to be. Are you there yet? Look at the opportunities available to you. Create your own opportunities. Make the changes now that will bring contentment, a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, and no regrets.
Ephesians 5:15–17 Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as it fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 5:4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:5–6 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders, make the most of the time. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Galatians 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone.
