Never Make Life Smaller

Decisions can be exceedingly difficult, and in one sense, there are no unimportant decisions, for even small decisions often indicate character and judgement. Any expression of preference may indicate much more than we sometimes suppose. Said a French philosopher: “A man reveals his character even in the simplest thing he does.” And, of course, decisions involving principles, commandments, conscience⎯around these the whole course of life revolves.

We sometimes see the paradox of everyone’s seeming to be very busy, and yet having difficulty in deciding how to use time; with a great diversity of things to do, and yet a restless searching for what to do; with greater speed than ever before, but with greater desire to go faster; wit more to choose from, and yet some surprisingly short-sighted choices. These are decisions of recklessness; decisions of pride, of bravado and daring; decisions where the thrill of the moment, the risking of too much on too little, is too much in evidence, and with too much overlooking of everlasting.

What we do with life here and now determines eternal direction. What we decide to do at any time determines direction. And having been given life and mind and wondrous physical facilities, we have a solemn trust in choosing how we live. And when faced with decisions as to the reckless risking of what is most precious and irreplaceable, we ought deeply and sincerely to stop short and look at the course and at our conduct, and ask ourselves if this is really what we want, if this is really worth the price that must be paid; or, in a negative sense, if this is really worth the regret.

When decisions move to the reckless side, it seldom, if ever, could be said that the thrill of the moment is worth the lifetime of regret.

In summer, in all pursuits at all seasons, it is wise to pause, to consider, to appraise, to look to tomorrow, to the next moment, to next summer, to next season; to look both at the present and the future, and all the everlastingness of life; and never forget what is at the other end, for too often⎯and never to be forgotten is this⎯the thrill is not worth to regret.