02:03:04:05:06:07

A friend of mine sent me the following email:

At three minutes and four seconds after 2 AM on the 6th of May1 this year, the time and date will be 02:03:04 05/06/07. This will never happen again.

If you're like me, you look at this amazing pattern created by our convention of time and are awed (ok, really, you are slightly amused). This perfect sequence will occur for exactly one second! "Hmmm," you think. "It will occur again at 02:03:04, on May 6th, 2107." But that's in 100 years. I may forget by then. We may have a different system for a calendar. And, I may not be alive. So, should I wake up at 2 AM to experience this once-in-a-lifetime configuration?

Should I wake up at 2:00 AM to experience this once-in-a-lifetime moment? Then I reflect; one second later it will be 02:03:05 05/06/07. This sequence, too, will occur only once in my lifetime. When I wake up, at approximately 06:09:14 05/06/07, this second will also occur only once.

If only we were able to look at each moment in such a special light. If only we saw the unique pattern of every second and minute, the once-in-a-lifetime blessing with which each moment is endowed.

My friend's email brought to mind a teaching quoted by the Rebbe:

The Chassidim of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi were always keeping count. On this, Rabbi Sholom DovBer of Lubavitch commented: "That idea characterizes man's service. The hours must be 'counted hours,' then the days will be 'counted days.' When a day passes one should know what he has accomplished and what remains yet to be done... "

With this perspective, "time-management" takes on a whole new meaning. Each and every second produces a genuinely unique pattern that will never again occur! And how I choose to experience this second is my unique input into the Divine tapestry.

So, celebrate the moment. Be joyous in the second. And above all, do something. The opportunity is now.