Article September 5, 1970 Issue

The Value of Moments

ELIZABETH GLASS BARLOW

There is something tremendously satisfying about achieving what is thought to be the impossible—the challenging task, the longed-for dominion, the out-of-reach star. Perhaps we look wishfully at these goals and make plans for bringing them into our grasp. Yet so often we fail to carry our intentions through to completion. The pressures of everyday living crowd in upon us, and we find our high intents languishing on the sidelines. Before long the familiar cliché becomes our own lament: "Oh, how I'd like to get this done—this book read, this letter written, this job finished! But I just don't have the time."

How to get out of this net, this time-bind? Individuals as well as colleges and business organizations have concerned themselves with it. One of the most direct and satisfying answers to this question is found in an article by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. She writes, "Success in life depends upon persistent effort, upon the improvement of moments more than upon any other one thing." And she adds, "All successful individuals have become such by hard work; by improving moments before they pass into hours, and hours that other people may occupy in the pursuit of pleasure."^{ Miscellaneous Writings, p. 230;}

The successful use of moments requires alertness and self-discipline. One needs to watch that his opportunities for achievement are not frittered away. Bad habits of delay and procrastination must be put off before they freeze themselves into our days. An old proverb states, "Habits are at first cobwebs, at last cables."

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