Have you ever stopped to think about what the two most important things in life really are? For me, it boils down to two essentials: time and energy. These are the resources that shape our lives, and how we manage them can make all the difference.
Time: The Relentless Force
Let’s talk about time first. Time doesn’t wait for anyone. It doesn’t care if you’re having the best day of your life or the worst. It just keeps ticking away, moving forward relentlessly. I remember once, during a particularly tough period in my life, I kept thinking that if only I could pause time, I’d be able to get a grip on everything. But the truth is, time doesn’t pause. It’s like a river that keeps flowing, whether we’re ready to swim or not.
This realization hit me during a difficult week when I was juggling too many things—work, personal commitments, and trying to keep up with a yoga practice that I had no energy for. I kept wishing for more time, thinking that it would solve everything. But as the week went on, I saw that it wasn’t time that was the issue; it was how I was spending it. I had no control over the clock, but I did have control over what I chose to do with each moment.
As the saying goes, “Time waits for no one.” And another that really resonates with me: “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” We may not be able to control time, but we can certainly steer our actions within it.
What are we doing with the time we have? Are we spending it on things that truly matter? Or are we letting it slip through our fingers, consumed by the busyness of life?
As you think about this, I’ll leave you with a quote that has always resonated with me: “Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it, you can never get it back.”
Lastly , What action will you take today? Will you call a loved one you haven’t spoken to in a while? Forgive someone you’ve been holding a grudge against? Take that trip you’ve always dreamed of? Enroll in that course you’ve been putting off? Say “I love you” to someone who needs to hear it?
Energy: The Power We Can Harness
If time is what we have, energy is how we use it.
As Jim Loehr once said, “Energy, not time, is the fundamental currency of high performance.”
Understanding how to manage and prioritize our energy can make all the difference in how we experience life.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where the energy around you just felt off?
Maybe it was a job where the atmosphere was toxic, or perhaps you were part of a team where negativity was the norm. Or consider relationships—have you ever been in one, or known someone who was, where the energy was completely draining?
I think of my friend Jane, who was stuck in a toxic marriage for years. No matter how much she tried to make things work, she always felt depleted, like she was carrying a weight that wasn’t hers to bear.
These experiences are all too common, and they illustrate an important truth: everything is energy, and that includes us. When we begin to understand this, we realize that we have the power to prioritize the people, places, and practices that lift our energy and help us shine, rather than diminish us.
This brings me to the second most important thing in life—energy.
Unlike time, which we cannot control, energy is something we can manage, prioritize, and even renew. It’s about the practices we incorporate into our daily lives, the people we choose to spend time with, and the environments we immerse ourselves in. Energy is that inner resource that either expands or contracts depending on how we use it.
I’ve noticed in my own life that when I engage in activities that align with my values—like practicing yoga, spending time in nature, or having meaningful conversations—I feel energized and uplifted. My energy expands, and I’m more open, creative, and positive. On the other hand, when I’m caught up in negative environments or draining activities, my energy contracts. I feel depleted, anxious, and disconnected.
Take Jane, for example. In her marriage, she was constantly surrounded by negativity. The relationship was filled with criticism, resentment, and a lack of support. Over time, she became a shadow of herself, losing her spark and her sense of self-worth. It wasn’t until she made the difficult decision to leave that she began to reclaim her energy. She started focusing on things that brought her joy—reconnecting with old friends, pursuing hobbies she had forgotten, and practicing self-care. The transformation was remarkable. Jane became more vibrant, confident, and alive, simply by prioritizing the things that nurtured her energy.
And this isn’t just about relationships. Think about your work environment or social circles. Have you ever noticed how some places or people make you feel drained, while others leave you feeling inspired and motivated? That’s the power of energy in action. Once we start to recognize how different situations affect our energy, we can make more intentional choices about where we invest it.
As Tony Schwartz wisely said, “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” And another favorite of mine, “The energy you put out is the energy you get back.” These quotes remind us of the importance of managing our energy with care and intention.
So, as you go about your day, I encourage you to ask yourself:
Where is your energy going? Are you investing it in things that uplift you, or in things that drain you?
Remember, while time may be out of our control, energy is a powerful resource we can harness, and the way we manage it can transform our lives.
Conclusion: Managing Time and Energy
So, while we can’t control time, we do have the power to manage our energy. By prioritizing what expands us—be it the practices, people, or places that uplift us—we can make the most of the time we have. Life is too short to spend it feeling drained and contracted. It’s up to us to choose how we spend our energy and, in turn, how we experience the passage of time.
By the time you are reading this, time has passed on. This reminds us of the urgency to value time and live fully in the present, as tomorrow is not promised.
As you reflect on these ideas, consider the following questions:
How am I spending my time, and is it aligned with what truly matters to me?
What activities, people, or environments are expanding my energy, and which ones are contracting it?
How can I better manage my energy to create a more balanced and fulfilling life?
After reading this, take a moment to check in with your internal energy compass—do you feel more expansive or contractive? By taking a closer look at how we navigate time and energy, we can begin to craft a life that feels both purposeful and invigorating. After all, these are the two most important resources we have—let’s use them wisely.
Namaste
Sumit Banerjee
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