Actual indicators—how do you ascertain whether you have advanced?

 Have you ever paused to consider, "Am I truly making progress here?" It's a common thought, particularly when life seems like a never-ending cycle. We're often told progress equals a bigger title, a fatter salary, or a fancier car. And sure, those can be signs. But real, deep-down progress? That often looks a little different, and honestly, a lot more personal. How can you determine if you have advanced? For a moment, let's set aside the conventional scorecard and examine some authentic signs that you're not merely drifting aimlessly but genuinely creating a life you cherish.  Your financial situation feels less stressful. Okay, let's be real, money isn't everything. But having enough money and using it wisely is a giant freedom. Think back a few years. Were you constantly sweating over bills? Were you constantly balancing your rent and groceries? A sign of progress: You're not just getting by; you're building a buffer. Perhaps you have established an emergency fund and are actively contributing to a retirement fund, even if the contributions are small. Remember that old, beat-up couch you desperately wanted to replace? Now you can actually plan for that upgrade without sacrificing your ramen noodle budget. It's not about being a millionaire; it's about feeling a sense of security and choice with your finances. You're not just earning more; you're managing it better. You’ve Got More Free Time (And You Actually Use It!) This is a significant achievement. Working continuously is often considered a badge of honor in our hustle culture. But if your idea of "free time" is nodding off on the couch after a 12-hour day, that's not exactly progress. You're intentionally carving out time for things that aren't work. Maybe you used to work 60-hour weeks, and now you're happily clocking 40-45. You're rediscovering hobbies you loved, spending quality time with family or friends without feeling rushed, or just having genuinely lazy Sundays. Remember when you wanted to learn guitar but "never had the time"? You now find yourself picking it up a few times a week. That's not just more spare time; it's a commitment to your well-being and personal joy. You've Got More Control Over Your Life. Ever felt like a ping-pong ball, bouncing wherever life, your boss, or demanding friends pushed you? Feeling like others were always calling the shots? A sign of progress: You are now in control. This could mean: Saying "no" without guilt: no to that extra project that would burn you out, no to social plans you're not genuinely excited about. Setting boundaries: with work, with family, with friends. You're not letting people drain your energy reserves. Making big decisions for you, like changing careers, moving cities, or ending a relationship that wasn't serving you—because you decided it was time, not because you were forced. You’re less reactive and more proactive. You've Kicked (or Are Kicking) Those Pesky Addictions. When we discuss addictions, most people think of substances. But let's broaden that. The term "addiction" includes unhealthy habits, toxic relationships, endless social media scrolling, constant validation-seeking, or even just a nagging reliance on things that don't truly serve you. A sign of progress: You're breaking free from things that held you back. Maybe you've cut down on mindless binge-watching, you're no longer gossiping constantly, you've removed yourself from a draining friend group, or you've finally tackled that sugar craving that ruled your afternoons. It's about recognizing what isn't serving you and actively working to replace those habits with healthier ones. It's tough, but that feeling of regaining control over your habits is incredibly empowering.  You're Helping More People (Beyond Just Yourself). True progress often involves shifting your focus outwards. When you're constantly in survival mode, it's difficult to think about much else. But once you've secured a bit more stability and control, your capacity for contribution grows. A sign of progress: You're actively making a positive impact on others. This could be mentoring a junior colleague, volunteering for a cause you believe in, genuinely listening and offering support to a struggling friend, or even just consistently being a reliable, kind presence in your community. Remember when you barely had time to do your laundry, let alone help someone else? Now, you're sharing your knowledge, your time, or your resources without feeling depleted. It's the ultimate sign of abundance—you have enough to share. So, how's your scorecard looking? Progress is not a linear path, nor is it a competition. There will be ups and downs. However, if you're successfully completing even a few of these tasks, it's truly commendable. You're not just living; you're evolving. Keep going, you're doing great!

Author: Sezgin Ismailov

This is not a secret. These are the fundamental facts

Imagine the following truly absurd, yet illustrative situation: Every morning, as the first gentle rays of the sun pierce the darkness and begin to paint the day, a mysterious bank transfers the solid sum of $86,400 to your account. This transaction is not a mistake; it is not a joke but a real, impressive loan, intended exclusively and only for you. The loan is in American currency, a globally recognized symbol of opportunity and freedom. You can use the money for anything you want once it reaches your account. But, as with any privilege, there is one important, perhaps even crucial, condition: Every evening, without exception, as the shadows lengthen and day begins to give way to night, the bank ruthlessly cancels any portion of the loan that you have not managed to utilize in the previous 24 hours. This implies that any amount you have not withdrawn, wisely spent, or invested for future growth simply vanishes—evaporating into oblivion, irretrievably lost forever. There is no option to transfer it, no possibility of recovery. Think deeply: How would you react in this situation? What would your plan of action be? Think carefully, because this question reveals a lot about your priorities and attitude toward abundance. Of course, your instinct would be to withdraw every last cent from your account balance! You'd be careful with every dollar, knowing that tomorrow you'll have a new chance to miss something important. Well, let me tell you a secret: Time is just like that bank. Every day, without asking for anything in return, it credits you with an incredible 86,400 seconds. These are 86,400 opportunities to live fully, to love unconditionally, to create with inspiration, to develop tirelessly, and to pursue your dreams. Every morning, upon awakening, you receive this priceless, inexhaustible (at first glance) resource, ready to be invested wisely and strategically. But, just like with a bank loan, every night mercilessly takes away, at a loss, that part of the seconds that you have not managed to invest in a good deed, in a meaningful goal, in sincere love, in shared joy, or simply in a moment of peace, silence, and gratitude. This loss is final and irreversible. The rest, unfortunately, does not carry over to the next day. There is no way to save time for future projects or when you need it more. Furthermore, you cannot overdraft—you cannot borrow time from the future to make up for past shortcomings. Every day opens a new account for you, fresh and untouched, filled with new possibilities. Every night burns the account of the past day, forever erasing the possibility of changing something that has already passed, of going back in time and doing things differently. If you fail to use your full deposit for the day, you lose. You lose not only precious seconds but also the opportunity to make a real difference in your life or in the lives of others, to improve yourself, to help someone, and to leave your mark on the world. There is no going back. You cannot make any withdrawals for the future. You must live solely in the present, operating with today's deposit. Invest it wisely, with care and attention. Approach every second with awareness and gratitude. Invest it in such a way that you will receive the greatest return—in the form of health, happiness, knowledge, love, meaningful relationships, and selfless service to others. Ultimately, the most precious rewards are those that endure beyond a single day, those that enhance your life and the lives of those around you, and those that create a lasting impression on memories and emotions. Remember: Time is the most valuable resource you will ever possess. It is worth more than gold, diamonds, and all the world's riches, as it is irreplaceable. Don’t waste it aimlessly. Don’t waste it on things that don’t matter. Use it wisely, consciously, and purposefully to create a life worth living. These are just a few of the "Laws of Life"—simple truths that have the power to change your perspective, expand your consciousness, and inspire you to live more consciously, fully, and meaningfully. Let this story serve as a reminder to cherish every moment and invest your time in things that truly matter. 

Human life is short, but if you don't waste your time

Human life is short, but if you don't waste your time, you can do wonders in that period. It’s a simple sentence, really. You might quickly glance over it, perhaps nod in agreement, and then disregard it. But this quote, plucked from the fictional pages of "The Wealth of the Great Kingdom," packs a serious punch. This quote serves as a reminder, a call to action, and a subtle reminder. First, we acknowledge mortality with the statement, "Human life is short." It's morbid but undeniably true. We're all operating on a limited timeframe. Compared to the cosmos, even a century feels like a blip. Facing this brevity can be daunting. It's easy to get lost in the day-to-day, to put off dreams for "someday," to let life just...happen. However, the quote goes beyond this point. It doesn't wallow in existential dread. Instead, it offers a solution, a key to unlocking our potential. That key? "If you don't waste your time..." This sentence serves as the pivotal statement, marking a significant shift. It's not about living fast, burning out, or cramming a hundred activities into every waking moment. It's about intentionality. It's about being mindful of how we spend our precious resource: time. What exactly constitutes "wasting time" is, of course, subjective. For some, it might be endless scrolling through social media. For others, it might be staying in a dead-end job out of fear of change. A common theme is a sense of purposelessness and a sense of adriftness. Think of it like this: imagine you have a limited supply of vibrant dye. You can use it to create a breathtaking tapestry, full of intricate details and stunning colors. Or, you can dribble it aimlessly onto scraps, never creating anything meaningful. The dye represents your time, and the tapestry represents the "wonders" you can achieve. So, what are these "wonders" the quote alludes to? They aren't necessarily grand, world-altering achievements. Wonders can be personal—mastering a new skill, building a strong relationship, writing a novel, or simply becoming a kinder, more compassionate person. They are the things that bring meaning and fulfillment to our lives. They are the legacies we leave behind, not necessarily etched in stone, but woven into the lives of those around us. The beauty of this quote lies in its accessibility. It doesn't demand genius or extraordinary talent. It simply asks for conscious effort. It implies that even in our brief lives, we possess the power to produce something significant and meaningful. It’s a democratizing concept—the ability to achieve “wonders” isn't reserved for the elite; it’s within reach of anyone willing to invest their time wisely.  But how do we translate this wisdom into action? How do we actually stop wasting time and start creating wonders? Firstly, we need to identify our "time vampires." What activities consistently drain our energy and provide little to no long-term benefit? Once we've identified them, we can start to reduce their presence consciously in our lives. Secondly, we need to define our "wonders." What truly matters to us? What impact do we want to have on the world? Once we have a clear vision, we can start to strategically allocate our time and energy toward achieving those goals. Finally, we need to practice self-compassion. We will stumble, we will procrastinate, and we will inevitably "waste" some time. The key is not to beat ourselves up but to learn from our mistakes and recommit to our purpose. The quote from "The Wealth of the Great Kingdom" is a potent reminder that while our time on Earth is finite, our potential is not. By consciously choosing how we spend our time and by focusing on activities that bring meaning and fulfillment, we can all create our own personal "wonders," transforming our short lives into extraordinary ones. So, let's stop letting the dye dribble away and start weaving our tapestries. The world, and our souls, will be richer for it.

Time in the role of an unbiased judge

Time is the greatest critic; it will show who is right and who is wrong. This proverb is deep and multi-layered, and it hides several important truths: Time is presented as a neutral force, not influenced by emotions, biases, or momentary circumstances. It simply flows and reveals the truth.

* This means that any lies, manipulations, or dishonest actions will sooner or later be exposed.

* **The truth always comes out.**

* The proverb teaches us that truth is persistent and that in the end it will always prevail.

* Even if someone manages to hide the truth for a while, time will reveal it.

* **The consequences of our actions:**

* Time shows us the real consequences of our actions.

* If we have acted correctly and honestly, time will reward us. If we have acted incorrectly, it will punish us.

* **Patience and Wisdom:**

* The proverb teaches us to be patient and not to rush to judgment.

* Sometimes it takes time for the truth to be revealed.

**Examples:**

* In politics: Time shows whether a politician acted in the interest of the people or in his own interest.

* In business: Time shows whether a business strategy was successful or unsuccessful.

* In personal relationships, time shows whether a friendship or relationship is true or false.

Ultimately, the proverb "Time is the greatest critic; it will show who is right and who is wrong" reminds us that we should strive to be honest and fair, because in the end, time will reveal the truth.

The two most treasured resources are time and health

In our fast-paced world, we often forget about two of the most valuable things in life—health and time. They are inextricably linked, and investing in one invariably leads to benefits for the other.  Health is the key to a longer and more fulfilling life.  Health is the foundation on which we build our lives. When we are healthy, we have the energy and the opportunity to enjoy every moment. We can work, have fun, travel, and take care of our loved ones.  Unfortunately, many people realize the value of health only when they lose it. Don't wait for this to happen. Start taking care of yourself today: every day is valuable time for you.  Eat healthy. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. Limit processed foods, sugar, and saturated fats.  Exercise regularly. Find a physical activity that you enjoy and try to practice it for at least 30 minutes a day.  Get enough sleep. Receive 7-8 hours of quality sleep every night. A prime example is the Japanese. They are not overweight and have the longest life expectancy.  Manage stress: Find ways to deal with stress, such as meditation, yoga, or walks in nature.  Get regular checkups. Early detection of health problems can save lives.  Investing in your health buys you time.  When we take care of our health, we not only feel better, but we also increase our life span. This allows us more time to enjoy the things we love, spend time with our loved ones, and achieve our goals.  Time is our most valuable resource. Don’t waste it by neglecting your health. Invest in it, and you will enjoy a longer, happier, and more fulfilling life.  Time and health are interdependent. Take care of your health, and you will have more time to enjoy life. Health surpasses all material wealth. I have never witnessed or heard of anyone taking anything to the other world except  themselves.