The most obvious, the least cherished. That is, my reader, time. Such a concept. Abstract, yet too depressingly true-to-life. I have no idea why the first letter is about time and how much of it we just let go by. But it is a potent reminder of the easily forgotten.
As someone who drifts into anything, or as Seneca says, whose “[moments] glide beyond [his] reach”, I am someone who needs to take this one to the heart and learn it by heart. I do not want to re-preach the letter, but isn’t it so obvious that we just deprive ourselves of meaningful and cherished moments by not knowing and not recognizing what is in our own nature? What we are required to do?
I am someone, if you know me, who knows and speaks of sundry topics at ease and yet at no benefit to any. How much of this is required of me? Do I not, as Seneca says, let the whole of my life pass by with things not pertaining to the purpose? Such ridicule for me, especially when I preach the same to my students.
Turpissima iactura