January 1, 2026- More time

Shaping your character is ultimately the only thing under your control.

~Massimo Pigliucci

There are so many distractions out there. Our time and energy can become so scattered. We have precious little time in this one life, and we can squander most of it on worry over things we can’t control. We control our actions and our reactions, and our character is built on that alone.

We may use some of our income to pay for services that we could do ourselves, but choose not to. We also devote some of our income to things that we cannot do. We don’t have the means to build all our own roads, provide all our own healthcare, or power our homes and businesses. We are willing to leave those jobs to others, because we pretty much have to. Whether by choice or by necessity, the services that are done for us no longer become our responsibility. The time we would otherwise spend doing those things becomes a gift back to us. Instead of worrying about how to keep the TV on, we get to watch it. Instead of worrying about how to get our cars across the river, we get to drive across the bridge to spend more time with people on the other side.

What would we have more time for if we stopped using our energy on things outside our control? We would have more time to consider our choices, to build our character, to evolve, and to grow.