Some of our important choices have a time line. If we delay a

Host: The room was calm, the light from the window casting a soft glow over the space. Jack sat with his elbows resting on the table, a contemplative expression on his face as he looked down at his phone. Jeeny, sitting across from him, noticed the deep thought in his gaze and put her book down, sensing something significant was on his mind.

Jeeny: (gently) “You look like you're reflecting on something. What’s on your mind?”

Jack: (looking up slowly, his voice soft) “I was just thinking about a quote from James E. Faust. He said, ‘Some of our important choices have a time line. If we delay a decision, the opportunity is gone forever. Sometimes our doubts keep us from making a choice that involves change. Thus an opportunity may be missed.’ It really struck me how often we hesitate or doubt ourselves, even when the right opportunity is in front of us. There’s something about time — how quickly things can pass us by.”

Host: Jeeny’s expression softens, and she leans forward slightly, clearly drawn to the depth of what Jack is saying. The quiet in the room deepens as she reflects on the meaning of the quote.

Jeeny: “It’s so true, isn’t it? Our hesitation, our doubts, often stop us from seizing opportunities that could change everything. It’s like the fear of making the wrong choice can keep us stuck, even when we know deep down that the choice is right for us. But time doesn’t wait, and sometimes, by the time we decide, the opportunity is gone.”

Jack: (nodding) “Exactly. There’s a fine line between being thoughtful and being paralyzed by indecision. Sometimes, our doubts make us wait, thinking that we’ll find the perfect moment or the perfect answer. But as Faust points out, if we wait too long, we miss the chance altogether. The timing of the decision is just as important as the decision itself.”

Host: Jeeny smiles softly, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her cup as she contemplates the weight of the quote. The room feels quieter now, as if they’re both reflecting on the fleeting nature of time and opportunity.

Jeeny: “It’s like a reminder to trust ourselves, to not let fear or doubt keep us from moving forward. Change can be uncomfortable, but sometimes it’s that discomfort that brings the greatest rewards. The key is in taking action, not waiting for the perfect moment because it might never come.”

Jack: (thoughtfully) “Right, and sometimes making the wrong choice is better than making no choice at all. At least with action, there’s room to learn and adjust. But when we’re paralyzed by indecision, we miss out on the experience and growth that comes from just moving forward.”

Host: Jeeny’s gaze softens, and she looks out the window for a moment, lost in thought. The air in the room feels heavier now, as if they’ve both come to a deeper understanding of the importance of timing and action in life’s decisions.

Jeeny: “Maybe that’s the beauty of life’s opportunities — they don’t wait forever. But that’s also what makes them special. They challenge us to make a choice, to trust in our judgment, and to take action, even when we’re unsure. And when we do, we open ourselves up to new experiences and growth.”

Jack: (smiling softly) “Exactly. It’s about embracing the uncertainty and taking the leap, knowing that the journey of making choices is as important as the destination itself.”

Host: The conversation falls into a peaceful silence, the realization settling in that time and opportunity are intertwined. Faust’s words serve as a reminder that the most important decisions often come with a limited time frame, and hesitation can lead to missed chances. Embracing action and trusting ourselves, even amidst doubt, is the key to moving forward in life.