Brenda’s Blog – August 8, 2023
“Don’t waste one crumb of that delicious bread – use every single bite.”
During World War II ration books were issued which limited the availability of consumables. All products had values placed on them with a corresponding number of points. Families and businesses had to diligently budget their use of all items. The emphasis on austerity was tied to the winning of the war by the American forces.
I enjoy Radio Classics on Sirius/XM radio. The featured programs from the 40’s and 50’s occasionally include a vintage commercial. One played which urged the listeners to “waste not, want not” when using their loaves of bread. Suggestions of creative uses, followed by earnest motivation for each listener to do their part in the war effort.
I was intrigued by the style of the commercial, as well as the style of the writing. Then it hit me – we still get ration books but this one only features on commodity: time. We are given 525,600 minutes each year. Some will be used for necessities like eating and sleeping; others will be exchanged for relationships; and many will be transferred to our employers as work hours.
We have the responsibility to put a value on the time we are given. We are to choose how to allocate each of those minutes. Just as a homemaker carefully managed her ration book and was careful not to waste one crumb of bread, we, too, can recognize the “delicious” nature of our time. Savoring each day is challenging for there are surely some (maybe many) within that collection with “wasted” imprinted on them. But when we see each day as a gift, an opportunity, and a stewardship we can decide to “use every single bite” using the minutes creatively.
We should be careful as we decide how to allocate the minutes in our ration book for they are a precious and limited resource. Let’s enjoy the 525,600 minutes put in our book each year – and use them well.