Lose not yourself in a far off time, seize the moment that is

The poet and philosopher Friedrich Schiller once wrote: “Lose not yourself in a far off time, seize the moment that is thine.” In these words we hear the cry of the ancients, the eternal warning against drifting into dreams of tomorrow while neglecting the fire of today. Schiller, steeped in the spirit of freedom and human greatness, understood that the future is a land of shadows, while the present moment is the only ground upon which man may stand and act. To lose oneself in a “far off time” is to become captive to illusion; but to seize the moment is to awaken to life’s only certainty—this breath, this heartbeat, this hour.

The origin of this wisdom is rooted in Schiller’s Romantic vision of man’s struggle for liberty and meaning. Living in an age of revolution, he saw how men squandered themselves on endless speculation—waiting for perfect conditions, waiting for a better age, waiting for tomorrow to begin their work. Yet history does not favor those who wait. History is carved by those who, seeing the weight of the present, grasp it with courage and mold it with their hands. In urging us to seize the moment, Schiller aligned himself with the great chorus of voices that have always taught that life is brief, and action delayed is action lost.

Consider the example of Alexander the Great, who at twenty years of age inherited the throne of Macedonia. He did not wait for years of preparation, nor did he waste time imagining what could be in some distant tomorrow. Instead, he seized the moment placed before him, marching with his armies and shaping the course of the known world. Had he lingered in hesitation, dreaming of future opportunities, his name would have been lost to obscurity. But by seizing the present, he carved his destiny into the stones of history.

In contrast, think of those whose greatness was smothered by waiting. The revolutionary uprisings in various lands have often faltered, not because the people lacked passion, but because they postponed action, always believing that a “better moment” would come. Yet the truth, as Schiller warns, is that the moment that is thine is the only moment promised. Tomorrow may never arrive, and the dreams of “a far off time” may vanish like mist. Thus, delay is the enemy of destiny.

The deeper meaning of Schiller’s words is not only about grand victories, but about daily living. How many lose themselves in the dream of a future happiness, saying: “I will live when I am rich, I will love when I have time, I will create when the conditions are perfect”? In this way, life itself is postponed, and the days slip away. To seize the moment is to recognize that joy, love, and meaning exist now—not in a distant horizon, but in the very hour in which we breathe.

The lesson for us is clear: cast aside the illusion of waiting. Do not look always to the horizon for salvation, for the sun already shines upon your path. If you would build greatness, begin with today. If you would mend a relationship, speak the word now. If you would pursue a dream, take the first step in this very hour. For tomorrow belongs to none, but today belongs to you.

Practically, this means living with presence and urgency. Each morning, ask: what can I do today that will honor my purpose, my loved ones, my own soul? Do not let the day dissolve into distractions, nor let your energy be stolen by dreams of an uncertain future. Act with courage now, even if your steps are small, for it is the small steps of today that become the great strides of tomorrow.

So remember, children of the future: lose not yourself in a far off time, seize the moment that is thine. The past is gone, the future is unpromised, but the present is a jewel placed in your hands. Hold it with reverence, spend it with wisdom, and let it shine with deeds worthy of remembrance. For he who masters the moment masters life itself.