There’s a wonderful hadith that I’m reminded of. It might even be one of my favorites, and I want to share it with you.

Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said:

Take advantage of five (things) before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your riches before your poverty, your free time before your work, and your life before your death.

That basically sums up the best advice anyone can give.

Live a life of usefulness and purpose, do good things before you are prevented.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the rivalry for worldly gain and recognition. But that’s not what the goal should be.

When writing, we need to add something positive to the discourse. Something that will better humanity, not just distract them for a while.

And when, in the course of one’s career, you need to step back and take care of family, then it is appropriate to do so.

Right now that’s me.

Gotta take care of some loved ones.

I find when I’m visiting the sick and helping my family members, it makes me more grateful for my own health and strength. And it reminds me again and again of the hadith I mentioned above.

Life is short.

Make it count!