The Daily Dad

It’s Only Been Given For An Hour

Feb 22, 2024

02:16

Snipd AI

Exploring Seneca's wisdom, the podcast emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty and treasuring moments with our children, as nothing is guaranteed in life. Parents are reminded to savor the present and find joy in their time with their kids.

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Quick takeaways

Value and cherish time with children, as nothing is guaranteed in the future.

Create joyful interactions with kids, focusing on shared moments of happiness and love.

Deep dives

Appreciating Each Moment with Our Children

In the podcast, the speaker emphasizes the importance of cherishing every moment spent with our children, highlighting the unpredictability of the future. Drawing from the experiences of Seneca, who faced immense challenges including the loss of his child, the message conveys the idea that nothing is guaranteed, emphasizing the need to savor the present and create joyful memories with our children. The ancient wisdom shared serves as a poignant reminder to value the time we have with our kids.

Embracing the Uncertainty and Cherishing the Present with Your Children

2min

Seneca knew from experience. In one of the most dreadful periods of his life, he lost his livelihood, his home and then his young child. He was exiled on false charges. He buried an infant.

Fortune…she can be cruel.

As Seneca wrote to Marcia, the daughter of a prominent Roman historian, in his beautiful and moving “Consolations” essays:

“Snatch the pleasures your children bring, let your children in turn find delight in you, and drain joy to the dregs without delay; no promise has been given you for this night—nay, I have offered too long a respite!—no promise has been given even for this hour.”

Two thousand years later, that hard-won reminder holds true. Nothing is promised. The future is not certain. It’s a scary world—one we’re hostages to, as we’ve said. But we can’t dwell in sadness or fear.

All we can do is hold our children tight. We must snatch the pleasures they bring us and bring them pleasures too. Drain joy to the dregs together. Enjoy the hour…because not one second more is guaranteed.

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