"All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given us"

The heart of this quote is about making the most of the time we have. It emphasizes the importance of choices and how we use our limited time on Earth. Rather than getting bogged down by all the things we can’t control, we should focus on our actions and decisions.

This quote comes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s "The Fellowship of the Ring," where Gandalf imparts this wisdom to Frodo. The context is crucial: Frodo is burdened with the enormous responsibility of destroying the One Ring, and he’s overwhelmed. Gandalf’s advice is a gentle reminder to focus on what can be done with the circumstances we’re given, instead of wishing for different ones.

Think about Malala Yousafzai. She was just a young girl in Pakistan who wanted an education, but the Taliban imposed a ban on girls attending school. Instead of accepting this, she chose to speak out. Her advocacy put her life at risk, culminating in a horrific attack where she was shot in the head. However, she survived and continued her fight for girls’ education. Now, she’s a Nobel Prize laureate and a leading voice for education and women’s rights. Malala didn't choose her circumstances, but she decided what to do with her time and the adversity she faced.

Now, how can you apply this wisdom? Start by assessing your current situation. What's within your control? Focus on the decisions you can make. If you're feeling overwhelmed—maybe at work or in your personal life—break it down. Think about one small action you can take today to move forward. It could be something as simple as setting a deadline or even just taking five minutes to breathe and regroup.

Imagine you’re at a crossroads in your career. You might be unhappy in your current job or contemplating a major change. It’s easy to feel stuck, right? But instead of fixating on the things you can’t change—like the job market or the time you’ve already spent in your current role—think about what you *can* do. Maybe you can take a new course, start networking, or even just update your resume. These are small but significant steps that help you use your time wisely.

Let me tell you about my friend, Lucy. She was in a tough spot a few years ago, working in a job she hated. She felt like she was wasting her life but didn’t know where to start. One day, after a particularly rough meeting, she decided to enroll in an online course in graphic design—something she’d always been interested in. Fast forward a year, and she’s now working as a freelance designer, loving every minute of it. Lucy didn’t change her circumstances overnight, but she chose to use her time to learn and grow, which eventually led her to a much happier place.

So, the next time you find yourself wishing things were different, remember Gandalf’s advice. Focus on what you can do with the time you have. It’s all about making choices that align with what you value and what you want to achieve, even if they’re small steps. Because those little decisions? They add up to a life well-lived.