<#280 Desk Column>

As if It Is the Last Day of Your Life

By Lee Han-na, Head Student Editor

   What is your best present that you have received up until now? Is it expensive jewelry that your boyfriend gave to you? Is it 1000 paper-made cranes that your best friend gave to you? Or is it an allowance that your parents gave to you as a university entrance gift?
   There are a large number of precious gifts we have received. Out of them, I would like to emphasize one gift, which many people easily forget its preciousness because it is always taken for granted. It is time. You probably know about the preciousness of time because you heard it many times through some stories or proverbs. Generally, people express a metaphor that states, “time is money”. You probably know the general story.
   Assume the following: you receive one bankbook which has 31,536,000 won every year, but you can use only 86,400 won a day. The rest of the money you have would disappear if you do not use all. It is not carried onto the next day. For this reason, you would suffer a loss of money that you do not use in one day.
   In this story, 31,536,000 won indicates the 31,536,000 seconds we have in a year and 86,400 won indicates 86,400 seconds we have available each day. Of course, the value of time in each day would be greater than 86,400 won, it would be priceless. Exactly speaking, we are not always sure how to allocate this time per day. The value of the present time would be more invaluable than any other thing. If you feel that you are a loser or have little hope, I would like to tell you “Don’t be discouraged!” You need not to have such a feeling. It is okay if you reflect on your past faults, and then try not to repeat the past faults again.
   A former Coca-Cola CEO delivered a speech to his staff in 2000, and his speech gave the staff an important challenge. I want to tell you about some parts of his speech.
   “Yesterday is history, the future is mystery, and today is gift. That’s why we call it, the present.”
   That’s right! Think of the moment that we breathe even if you are in hardship. The present time must be a gift or chance for you to live a better life in the future. The new semester has started. Maybe some students do not know what they should do for their better life during this semester, but that might come in future semesters. Remember the importance of time. Live each day as if it is the last day of your life, and you will live a better life in the future.

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