Timing

What we do may be all right, but when we do it may be all wrong. A dress that was a dream a few years ago has by now likely lost much of its allure⎯not that the dress has changed, but that the styles have changed. Whether we like it or not, whether we agree with it or not, timing is the essence of fashion. Timing is the essence of many other things also. Things that are funny at one time may not be funny at another time. Often when we hear a comment that calls for a “comeback,” we can’t think of anything suitable to say at the moment; but after it is all over, we can think of the wittiest remarks we might have made. But there is nothing quite so late as a clever comment that is just a little too late. It isn’t only a question of what we say, but when we say it. “When” is important in everything, both on the light and serious sides of life, and it isn’t enough merely to be able and willing to do something: It is essential to do it when it ought to be done. The farmer who forgets his sense of timing kills his credit. A debt that loses track of time may double itself in interest. The time to save money is when we are earning it. The time to seize an opportunity is when there is an opening. The time to repent is when there is yet time to repent⎯and the sooner the better. The time to prepare is when there is time to prepare. Next year may not be soon enough. Tomorrow may not be soon enough. Even “in a minute” may not be soon enough in some situations. And there is a great difference between the youngster who comes when he is called and the youngster who says he will come “in a minute”⎯and who lets the minutes multiply until it is too late. And there is also the same difference in adults. One of the great lessons of life is to learn not only “what” is important, but “when!”