"私たちが延期している間に人生が進んでいく"

Life has a way of zipping past us when we're caught up in putting things off. The core message here is about procrastination and how it robs us of our time and experiences. It's like hitting the pause button on our actions and dreams while the world keeps playing on fast forward.

This idea is old, almost as old as time itself. Roman philosopher Seneca, who lived around the first century AD, is known for voicing similar sentiments. He famously said, "While we are postponing, life speeds by." Back then, just as now, people struggled with the temptation to delay. Seneca's words remind us that every moment spent hesitating is a moment lost forever.

Let's think of a real-life example: Emma, a graphic designer, dreams of starting her own freelance business. She’s got talent, a portfolio, and a small but promising client base. Yet, she’s stuck in her 9-to-5 job. Every day, she tells herself, "I'll start next month." But next month turns into next year, and before she knows it, five years have gone by. The opportunity window narrows while her passion fades. Life didn’t wait for Emma's schedule to clear up—it just kept moving.

If you're wondering how to use this wisdom in your life, start by identifying what you’re delaying. Is it learning a new skill, starting a project, or maybe a difficult conversation? Break it down into small, manageable steps. Instead of waiting for the perfect time (which, let’s be honest, never comes), commit to taking action now. Even tiny steps can create momentum.

Imagine this: You’ve always wanted to write a book. The idea has been brewing in your mind for years, but you never seem to find the time. The 'right moment' keeps slipping away. But what if you started today? Write just one paragraph. Then tomorrow, another. Before long, those paragraphs add up. You’re no longer waiting for life to give you a perfect opportunity—you’re seizing the moments as they come.

Picture an old man reminiscing about his youth. He had dreams of traveling the world, learning new languages, and playing music. But he postponed these dreams for work, for 'the right time,’ which never arrived. Now, he looks back with regret on a life half-lived. We don’t want to be that old man. We want to dive into our dreams now, imperfections and all.

So, let's stop waiting. Let’s take that first step, however small, towards what we truly want. Life doesn't slow down for us to catch up—it’s up to us to keep pace with it. As a friend, I'd tell you over coffee: Don't let the fear of imperfection or the myth of the perfect time hold you back. Start now. Live fully. Because while we’re busy postponing, life, in all its speed and beauty, is rushing by.