Making most of your Best-before-Date

For a moment picture yourself living in this world about 50 years ago, in an age where automobiles were relatively fewer and it was a real luxury to have one in the neighbourhood. Assume you didn't own a car already, and were given one on lease, for a limited period of 30 days along with free fuel. Suppose you were given complete freedom to use it in any way you deemed right, what would you do?

You would use this (relatively rare) mode of transportation to get all your stuff done: for work, personal needs and moving things around. You would use it to the fullest and perhaps flaunt it too. You might also run a few errands for friends and neighbours. You would consider making the best use of this rare commodity available only for a limited period, just so that the benefits stay long after the lease period.

• Would you use your car for just one purpose (only commuting to work) and let it stay idle otherwise?
• Wouldn't you plan that elusive long-drive on a weekend? Plan a vacation driving to that exotic locale, with friends and/or family?
• Wouldn't you do the bare minimum to keep the vehicle in a running state by refilling fuel, checking tyre pressure and doing the needed maintenance? The last thing you'd want is the vehicle to break down and be out of service for 2 of the 30 days.

Now why do we handle our lives any differently? Coming to think of it, there are striking similarities with the above analogy.

• We have limited time in this life (a 'lease' in years as opposed to days for the car). 
• Each person has incredible talents and unique interests, which often get neglected by narrow-minded pursuit of one or a few things (bogged down with work / too internally focused to look outside / not taking time to appreciate and contribute to the good things in this world). 
• And, its a criminal negligence to neglect our body without the needed 'maintenance' that is essential to ensure good health. The quote by Jim Rohn nails it - "Take care of your body, its the only place you have to live".

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