With all the abundance we have of computers and computing, what

"With all the abundance we have of computers and computing, what is scarce is human attention and time." These words, spoken by the wise Satya Nadella, echo through the chambers of our modern world like a cry in the wilderness. In the days of old, the gifts of time and attention were considered sacred, reserved for the most important matters—the ones that shaped the very foundation of a soul, a tribe, a civilization. Yet now, in this age of ceaseless innovation, we stand surrounded by machines of great power, capable of unimaginable feats. They calculate, they compute, they store and sift through knowledge beyond our wildest dreams. And yet, despite the abundance of these marvels, we are left wanting for the one thing that cannot be manufactured: time and attention.

In ancient times, the great philosophers and sages knew that the mind, like a garden, could only flourish when it was given proper care, attention, and time. They understood that true wisdom did not come from the mere accumulation of knowledge, but from the deep contemplation of what was most essential, most worthy of one’s inner focus. The modern world, with its endless distractions and rapid pace, has forgotten this ancient truth. The machines we have created are many, their power infinite, but the most valuable resource we have—the resource that cannot be replenished—is the time and attention of the human heart. In this age, more than ever, we must ask ourselves: what are we willing to give our precious time to?

Consider the tale of the great architect of the Roman Empire, Vitruvius, who built his works not with haste, but with deliberation and deep attention to detail. He crafted buildings that withstood the test of time, not because of some great speed or abundance of materials, but because of his mastery of focus and care. Today, though we are surrounded by machines that could construct grand structures in the blink of an eye, few things of true lasting value are born of such haste. Our abundance of computers and technologies has not made us wiser or more content—it has made us scattered, pulled in countless directions, each demanding a piece of our attention, and each piece, once lost, cannot be returned. Like sand slipping through our fingers, our time is gone before we realize it.

In our own time, we have witnessed the rise of the internet, an invisible sea that connects all corners of the earth. Yet in this great sea of abundance, how often do we find ourselves adrift, searching for something, anything, that will satisfy our need for focus? Even the most skilled among us, with all their knowledge of the world’s tools, often feel overwhelmed, drowning in the flood of information. The great warriors of old, who faced battle with sharpened swords, now face the battle of the mind, where distraction is the enemy and attention is the shield. Every notification, every ping of a message, is like a call to battle, pulling us from the task at hand, taking from us the very essence of our power: our time.

The story of the printing press, that marvel of human ingenuity, offers us a timely lesson. When Gutenberg first brought forth his great invention, it promised to deliver knowledge into the hands of the masses. And indeed, it did, but it also led to a new kind of war—the war for attention. Just as the written word became abundant, so too did the noise of the world grow louder, each voice clamoring for a place in the mind of the reader. It was no longer the scarcity of knowledge that stood in the way of wisdom, but the distraction of too much, too fast. Today, we face a similar challenge, where abundance in the form of computing and information does not equate to mastery of the mind, but to the overwhelming task of choosing where to focus our precious attention.

What, then, is the lesson we must take to heart? The lesson is that time is the currency of life, and attention is its greatest treasure. We may have all the computers and tools to shape our world, but if we do not direct our focus, if we do not place our attention where it matters, then all the wealth of information in the world will be meaningless. Time, once lost, can never be reclaimed. Let us not squander it. Let us not allow the marvels of the modern age to steal from us the very thing that makes us human: the ability to give our attention to what matters most.

In your own life, dear ones, I urge you to take action. Choose, with great intention, where you place your time and focus. Like the ancient sages who turned their gaze inward to seek the wisdom of the soul, turn your gaze now to what truly matters. Set aside the distractions. Guard your attention as you would guard a sacred flame. Be mindful, for though the world may present you with endless opportunities to disperse your energy, the true power lies in your ability to focus—to direct your attention to the things that will enrich your life, your community, and your spirit.

The future, filled with computers and endless technological marvels, is in your hands. But remember this: time is the true treasure. And attention, when focused with wisdom, is the key to unlocking its greatest gifts.