If you are looking for something that will keep you focused on what is important to you, perhaps three little words say it all.

Life is short.

It’s a thought we hear often.

But I don’t think we give it much thought.

No wonder. It’s a bit scary to focus on how limited our time on Earth really is.

Perhaps it’s something you never thought about when you were young.

But there comes a time when we do get hit with the thought that life as we know it is not forever. But we don’t linger on it. It’s not a friendly, comforting thought, is it?

But there can be a lot of good that comes from realizing how short life is if we resolve not to waste a single day.

A while ago I made a vow not to knowingly waste a single day.

If we truly believe life is short we have to make the most out of the time we do have.

Yet it’s not something we keep in mind all the time. I often have to remind myself not to waste a day.

I just told my friends that I am wasting too much of my time reading.

Of course I know reading is a worthwhile activity and I never want to stop doing it.

But there are too many times when I get caught up in a good book that I refuse to put down until I finish the book.

So I’ve had to make rules for myself. I try to limit the time I spend in a book when I realize the entire day has gone by and I haven’s moved from my chair because I can’t leave the book until I finish it.

So I made a rule that I have to do my reading at night. When I go outside and realize I have done nothing with the day and the day is just about over I know it calls for an adjustment on my part.

One of my friends insists there is no such thing as too much reading. What about the friends and family I have ignored?

What about the physical therapy exercises I didn’t do?

It’s not a case of either or. I can do both if I adjust my time.

Last week after a marathon reading day with a good book I rushed outside and ended up having the best conversation with a guy I didn’t know. I learned some useful information from him. I think we both enjoyed our conversation.

And it was a prelude of a follow-up dinner we had with the new guy and his wife.

My husband commented on how much he enjoyed the new couple. But we never would have had the pleasant encounter if I only stayed with my nose in a book.

There are definite good things that come along if we keep in mind that time is short. It’s too short to limit ourselves and too short to waste our time all day in nonproductive ways.

Being aware of not wasting my time also helps in other ways.

There have been times when I refused to be angry because that was a waste of time and the waste of a wonderful day of life.

I definitely believe life is a precious gift, a gift we should cherish, not a gift we should waste.

By realizing time is short, it encourages us to focus on ways to enjoy the present. Because after all, the present is all we have.

When we truly grasp the shortness of life we do all in our power to make every day count.

We learn to let go of grudges and learn to see the goodness of each person.

When we realize our time here on Earth is so limited we learn to look for better ways to enjoy each day.

As I mentioned before, I find joy in other people. Although I’m definitely a people person, it still takes work to get to know others.

And I find that it is often the shortest encounter that proves to be rewarding.

When I walked by a fellow I saw every day on my morning walk at first we just exchanged greetings. Then we started to chat.

Then Jerry told me he and his wife were having a neighborhood party and he invited me and my husband to come.

We didn’t know him well and didn’t know the neighbors. But we went to the party.

Jerry and his wife became my close friends, and that friendship continues to enrich my life.

I got an email from a reader who said she appreciates reminders about how wonderful the world is if we choose to see it.

Yes, life is short but it is incredibly wonderful.

I like the comparison to a role of toilet paper that says life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closest it comes to the end the faster it goes.

Take time to appreciate each day. Most of all, make the most of every day you are given.

Email Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net