We face many challenges in life, the foes of our success numerous and varied, but far greater than all of them is time–for time is the one obstacle we can never hope to defeat. Each of us only have so many mornings to rise to, so many days to live out, and so many nights to lay our heads down to sleep. It matters not whether we are conscious of it. Time passes by with model persistence, and it will, always, until it has pulled down every grain of sand in the hourglass of life. We cannot fight that, but what we can do, as human beings, as creatures that can take thoughts and transmute them into reality through belief, action, persistence, and courage, is to live in the time we have, and at the end let time take a life that was worth living–a life that made a difference, that used its potential, that freed itself of mediocrity and reached the heights of human expression. And when the time comes to let go of life, let us do so without complaint, without bitterness, knowing that we lived well–that we have improved on the spirit we were first given at birth.

In the words of the great stoic philosopher, Seneca, when life calls on us to return our life, let us thank it for its gift, and show how we have cared for its property, and then let it go thankfully and willingly:

“Take back a better mind than you gave. I seek no way of escape nor flee. I have voluntarily improved for you what you gave me . . . take it away . . .”

The key to all of this is living a good life, whatever that may mean to you. And time is of the essence here. Whatever your dreams are, whatever you truly want for your life, you must not wait for the “right” moment. That moment will never come. The only time you have, or will ever have, is this very moment. Use it, for it shall be lost either way. Time does not care how well you use its gift. It will pull those threads from your hand just as quickly if you do nothing with them as it would if you had woven them into something wonderful.

It is important, therefore, to not let anything impede the decisions that lead us forward. Indecision and doubt are poison to one’s proper use of time. They slow one down and make way for procrastination, fear, and ultimately a lack of genuine progress. Throw these things off so that you may proceed in this journey against the clock. Be bold, be decisive, be confident, believing in yourself and not fearing mistakes or anything else. Fear is the greatest enemy of all. Time is not your enemy in the evil sense, although it will defeat you; it is merely what is, an unquarrelsome force like the wind. And even time, even death, is not worth your fear, not when you have so much to do. Fear only robs us of what life we have. Be fearless in this grand tournament of life.

Life can be described as the greatest of all games, and a serious one. Although you face many opponents throughout it, many of them from within your own mind–doubt, fear, pessimism, indecision, timidity, and countless other diseases of attitude–its ultimate master is time. This thought comes from the end of Napoleon Hill’s book, Think and Grow Rich, and it nails down the nature of this game:

“Life is a checkerboard, and the player opposite you is time. If you hesitate before moving or forget to move promptly, your men will be wiped off the board by time. You are playing against a partner who will not tolerate indecision!”

It is up to you. Will you make the start? Will you throw off fear and doubt and all other impediments in this new year and venture forth into the vastness of your potential? Time is sitting opposite you, counting the pieces he has already taken and patiently waiting to take more. Do not fear him. Do not resist him. Instead, make those pieces worth taking!

A fearless man thrives on far horizons. Journey to them.

Go for it.