Do More Of What You Value (Long Version)
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Yesterday, as I was engrossed in work at my computer desk, I noticed something that happens quite often — Henry, my tri-color Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, was fast asleep at my feet. This has become a regular occurrence; wherever I am in the house, Henry is not far behind. His favorite spot, it seems, is right by my side, whether I’m at the computer, in the kitchen or meditating (i.e. napping) in my comfy chair (see picture above.)
Why does he do this? I like to think it’s because I’m important to him, especially when it comes to our cherished walks. As it is written in one of the floor mats that holds the dog’s water bowl, “ To the world you are one person, but to your dog are the world.”
Henry’s behavior reflects a fundamental truth for both humans and dogs: how we spend our time reveals what we truly value. Henry’s presence at my feet or head sometimes is not just a testament to his loyalty but also a gentle reminder of what I hold dear — my work, my routines, and, yes, my time with him.
In much the same way, the lives of some of history’s most remarkable figures demonstrate that our actions speak to our deepest values.
One of my hero’s of history is Benjamin Franklin.
Franklin was a man who understood the value of time better than most. His famous daily schedule, which meticulously allocated hours to learning, work, and self-improvement, speaks to a life lived with purpose. Franklin’s commitment to self-betterment and public service wasn’t just something he preached. It was something he practiced daily. His time, like his talents, was invested in the betterment of himself and society.
I’ve tried to emulate Mr. Franklin much of my life with elaborate Things To Do lists. I have not had anywhere near as much success as he. This is possibly because Mr. Franklin was a genius; I am not. If you look at a sample of Franklin’s early schedule:
Morning (5 AM — 7 AM)
- Study arithmetic, navigation, or other mathematical subjects
Forenoon (8 AM — 12 PM)
- Work
Afternoon (2 PM — 5 PM)
- Read and study Latin, French, or other languages
- Take exercise and engage in conversation, to reinforce learning and practice speaking the languages
Evening (6 PM — 10 PM)
- Review what has been studied during the day
- Spend time in conversation or correspondence, writing letters in the languages studied
- Engage in leisure reading, such as history or literature
Night (10 PM — 5 AM)
- Sleep
You can’t help but notice he spent 2 hours (5 AM — 7 AM) in the early morning studying a difficult subject, math, and without tutor. Later in the day he spent 3 hours (2 PM — 5 PM) a day studying and practicing foreign languages, again without tutors. In all, he spent 5 hours a day studying and only 4 hours a day working. Let that sink in. Franklin spent more time studying than working. That he was able to master what he studied without tutors is a testament to his intelligence and perseverance.
Franklin’s studies enabled him to become a world class scientist, inventor, diplomat, and philanthropist. He helped found the first publicly funded hospital, first lending library, first volunteer fire department, first American Science society, first mutual insurance company, first voluntary militia in Pennsylvania and founding of the Academy and Charitable School in 1751. This institution eventually evolved into the University of Pennsylvania, making it one of the first universities in the United States.
Before I move on from Mr. Franklin I want to point out that he also scheduled 4 hours of time per day for leisure; the same amount as for work. Mr. Franklin clearly understood the importance of reviewing the day and socializing. Franklin attributed his success to not just hard work but a life filled with continuous learning, moral discipline, strong relationships, practicality, public service, and a curious and innovative mind. It is these values that guided his actions and helped him achieve remarkable success in his life.
Another hero in my life is Jane Goodall.
Goodall’s decades-long study of chimpanzees in the forests of Gombe is a reflection of her deep respect for animals and her commitment to conservation. She didn’t just speak about the importance of understanding and protecting wildlife; she lived it, day after day, in the field. Her time spent in the company of chimpanzees reveals her values more clearly than any words could.
While my 30 some years of teaching science and computers in public schools is not remotely as noteworthy as Goodall’s field work. I do like to think that my time spent teaching does speak to my value of education.
Henry David Thoreau is my favorite American philosopher.
When Thoreau choose to live in a simple cabin at Walden Pond, it wasn’t just an experiment in self-reliance; it was a deliberate investment of his time in what mattered most to him — nature, reflection, and simplicity. Thoreau didn’t just talk about the virtues of living deliberately; he lived them. His time was his currency, and he spent it in the pursuit of a life aligned with his principles.
Few people have lived their lives with as much personal conviction as Thoreau. Thoreau wrote “Civil Disobedience” in response to his opposition to the Mexican-American War (1846–1848). Thoreau was deeply troubled by the war, which he saw as an unjust conflict driven by a desire to expand U.S. territory at the expense of Mexico. His essay argues that individuals have a moral duty to resist and refuse to support governmental policies that they consider unjust.
Mahatma Gandhi, another hero of mine, was inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s essay “Civil Disobedience.” Thoreau’s ideas on nonviolent resistance and the moral duty to oppose unjust laws resonated with Gandhi and helped shape his own philosophy of nonviolent resistance, or Satyagraha.
Satyagraha works using the principles of withdrawal of cooperation and boycott. Methods of satyagraha include non-payment of taxes, and declining honors and positions of authority. A satyagrahi, a follower of Satyagraha, should be ready to accept suffering in his struggle against the wrong-doer. Gandhi adopted and adapted Thoreau’s principle of non-violent resistance into his Satyagraha for political and social reform in India which successfully led to India’s freedom from British rule.
Gandhi’s success with his principle of satyagraha has been the inspiration for many other peaceful revolutions. Martin Luther King’s American civil rights movement. Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu Anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa. The People Power Revolution of 1986, which led to the end of Ferdinand Marcos’s dictatorship in the Philippines. All these movements involved nonviolent protests inspired by Gandhi’s methods.
Thoreau and Gandhi’s concept of nonviolent resistance is still inspiring people around the world to successful political action.
There are many other heroes in my life, here are just a few more:
Rachel Carson, driven by a deep concern for the environment she spent years meticulously researching and writing her book “Silent Spring”. This book led to a new level of global environmental awareness that led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks, filled with sketches, scientific observations, and inventions, are a testament to his insatiable curiosity. He spent countless hours exploring the mysteries of the world, driven by a desire to understand and create.
Leonardo didn’t just think about the wonders of art and science; he dedicated his life to uncovering them. His time was devoted to the pursuit of knowledge and the expression of that knowledge through his work.
Florence Nightingale tireless humanitarian efforts during the Crimean War, where she tended to the wounded, show a woman who valued compassion and care above all else. She also established the Nightingale School of Nursing in London in 1860, which professionalized nursing as a career and set the standards for the training and practice of nurses world wide and deeply influenced the practices of the Red Cross.
Galileo Galilei’s life was a testament to his commitment to the pursuit of truth. He spent years using a new improved telescope of his own making for astronomical observations, conducting experiments, and challenging incorrect established beliefs like the sun revolves around the Earth. Despite facing persecution, Galileo’s time was devoted to uncovering the truths of our universe.
Galileo Galilei is often referred to as the “father of modern science” because of his systematic approach to experimentation and his reliance on empirical evidence rather than just philosophical reasoning to advance understanding in natural science. Galileo laid the groundwork for the scientific revolution and influenced later scientists like Isaac Newton.
Conclusion:
Just as Henry’s presence at my feet or my head shows his loyalty and attachment, the way we choose to spend our time reveals our true priorities and values. The lives of these historical figures remind us that actions speak louder than words. It’s not what we say or think that defines us, but how we live our lives each day. How we use our time is the most honest expression of what we truly value.
All personal statements were written by me and edited for spelling and grammar by ChatGPT. Sections of this article have been refined by AI to enhance comprehensibility and to provide facts that only online search engines would know.
© David Speakman 2024
