“Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.”—Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NLT)
I try to remind myself of this verse everyday. Life is short, so do what you must do now and do it well.
This is not an uncommon theme on this blog. I recently shared “Leave everything you have in this room” (November 15, 2016), and several other recent posts have been along this vein. I guess I need to keep reminding myself!
I have been trying to impart this wisdom upon my son (both children, actually). I hope I demonstrate it to my students. Certainly, I struggle each day myself to “bring it”. The intent is there. Whether the outcome is always my best is a matter for debate. I hope it is. I hope I “leave everything you have in this room”.
This verse in Ecclesiastes is the ultimate expression of carpe momento. It is a stark reality that we are all headed to the grave, and we don’t know when. There is no time to waste on mediocrity. There are no half-assed efforts. We must put in the effort today like there is no tomorrow.
Set goals. Have a growth plan. Execute.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
At the end of the day there should be a “pleasant sense of fatigue”—a feeling that you gave the day your all. You should rest your eyes knowing that you gave you all—that you gave 100% and “left it all in this room”. To do anything less is to have wasted your talents.
Desire. Put your heart and soul into what you do. Be enthusiastic even when your enthusiasm wanes. Be passionate.
The New International Version translates Ecclesiastes 9:10 as “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might….” This leave no room for holding back. One-hundred percent effort. “Whatever your hand finds to do.” This means ALL aspects of your life—not just sports or work. This means Spiritually, Physically, Intellectually, Emotionally, and Socially. ALL the time. Not SOME of the time.
Be your best today….
Carpe momento!!
“It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.”—Theodore Roosevelt