Chapter 18

Time and Youth

Time is far more valuable than money. Money can be lost and earned again; time cannot. At eighteen, thirty seems impossibly distant. Then you blink and you are thirty. Blink again and you are forty. Eventually, you begin to understand that your life is not an unlimited resource. Remember that while you are young. Do not waste years waiting for your life to begin; it has already begun. That does not mean every minute must be productive. Rest matters. Holidays matter. Laughter matters. Sitting around doing absolutely nothing with people you love can matter enormously. However, be wary of dedicating large pieces of your life to things that mean nothing. You cannot save time for later. Spend it carefully.

Do not just pass through your youth; let it pass through you, burning bright before it softens into memory. When you are young, it is crucial to find a balance between your sacrifices and your joy. While everyday happiness is always the goal, the reality is that your late teens and twenties are your peak years and offer a unique window. You have the youth, health, and energy to truly appreciate the world. Instead of grinding through these years just hoping for a better tomorrow, embrace them. If right now doesn’t feel like the best time of your life, take control and make it happen.