I’m sure you’ll recognize this scenario: a busy morning at work, eye on the clock, a running internal commentary. “I just have to do this, then I just have to do that, then another thing and another thing, and then I will ... ” In my case, it’s pushing off my moment of communion with my Creator later and later until it is lunchtime already. “I’ll run outside and just quickly pray ... ”

I literally run outside. It’s a windy day. IWhere was I? open my prayerbook. There is a gust of wind, the pages turn, and suddenly, I am face to face with a note in my handwriting, on the title page, haunting in its simplicity, written a few years before but long forgotten, quoting the Lubavitcher Rebbe. “Every moment of time must be valued.”

Abrupt full stop, deep breath, forget the time, forget skipping some of the prayers. Focus on the connection between myself and my Creator, gratitude for the fresh air and the trees and the beauty all around me. Pray mindfully and slowly. I walk back inside and find that time seems to have stood still; I have plenty of time before my next patient.

Where was I? A place beyond time and space, yet within time and space. A place to draw light, energy and nurture into this world.

Our Creator has given us every moment of time for a reason—to be experienced meaningfully, to connect with others in love and truth, to draw down supernal light and transform this world through Torah and mitzvot, acts of goodness and kindness.