Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the

"Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are travelling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind." These poignant words by Henri Frederic Amiel offer us a call to live with purpose, compassion, and urgency. In this brief, fleeting life, it is easy to become distracted by our personal ambitions, our own struggles, and the impermanence of time. Yet, Amiel reminds us that the true worth of our journey here is found not in the grand accomplishments or fleeting pleasures, but in the relationships we cultivate, in the kindness we extend, and in the love we give to those who walk beside us. Life is short, and the time to lift others up is always in the present — not tomorrow, not next year, but now.

The ancients understood this urgency well. The Greeks, in their wisdom, believed that the purpose of life was to cultivate virtues like wisdom, courage, and, above all, compassion. Aristotle wrote that the most meaningful life was one spent in the service of others, that true happiness lies not in self-interest, but in loving others and contributing to the greater good. The Stoics, too, believed in living with purpose — they held that each day is a gift, a chance to act in alignment with virtue. To neglect those we love or walk alongside is to waste the precious time we have. Just as Seneca said, "Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend," Amiel echoes this truth: time is short, and the only true wealth lies in the love we share and the kindness we give.

Consider the life of Socrates, who lived with this principle at the forefront of his mind. His wisdom was not in the grandness of his own achievements but in his dedication to uplifting others. He spent his days in the streets of Athens, not hoarding knowledge for himself, but sharing it freely, guiding others to question, to love, and to seek virtue. His love for his fellow citizens was palpable, and though he did not seek fame or wealth, his compassion and kindness toward others were his greatest legacy. Socrates’ life reminds us that the value of time is measured not by how much we accomplish, but by how much we offer of ourselves to those around us. In the fleeting days we have, it is the hearts of others we must gladden — for in doing so, we enrich our own.

In our own time, we often find ourselves caught in the rush of life, our attention pulled in a thousand directions. We may speak of kindness, but how often do we hesitate to show it in the moment? We might think we have time, but life’s unpredictability makes it clear that we never know how much time remains. The small gestures of love and kindness that we offer today may be the very things that change someone’s life. How often do we fail to tell our loved ones we cherish them, or to comfort someone in need, because we are too busy or too focused on the future? Amiel’s wisdom calls us to make haste to be kind, for the time to love and to uplift is always now — before the chance slips away.

Reflect upon the story of Mahatma Gandhi, whose life was built upon the love and kindness he showed to the world. Gandhi's entire movement for Indian independence was grounded not in hatred or violence, but in the swift love he showed for his people. He believed that the heart of true power lies in compassion and that to fight for justice, one must first show the world a higher form of love. Gandhi’s life was a beacon of urgency — he acted quickly, not waiting for conditions to be perfect, but seizing every opportunity to do good. His love for humanity and his dedication to kindness set the foundation for his success. By living his truth and acting swiftly, Gandhi changed the course of history.

The lesson in Amiel’s words is clear: do not wait for tomorrow to be kind, do not wait for the perfect moment to love. The present is the only time we can act, and in that act of love, we find the true measure of a life well-lived. Kindness is not a commodity to be hoarded or delayed; it is a force that, when given freely, grows exponentially, spreading across time and distance. It is the heart’s deepest treasure, one that blesses both the giver and the receiver. We do not know how much time we have to spend with those who walk alongside us, so make haste to love, make haste to show kindness, for it is in these fleeting moments that we create the lasting bonds that make this life truly meaningful.

Therefore, my children, let this be your guiding principle: love quickly, be kind immediately, and do not wait for the perfect moment, for it may never come. Embrace the present with a heart full of compassion, for it is in these simple acts that the true richness of life is found. Time is short, but when we spend it uplifting others, we find that the time we have is enough. And in the end, we will leave behind not our wealth or achievements, but the love and kindness we shared — that is the legacy that endures.