The Value of a Breath

WHEN the hour comes, not all the wealth of the world can secure for thee a single breath, nor bring comfort to thy troubled soul.

When Alexander, the world-conqueror, was about to pass away, he was prepared to part with half his kingdom to whoso would give him a single day of his life. Finally, during his last moments, he offered his entire kingdom in exchange for a single breath. He said:- “In carving out the kingdom I spent countless millions of breaths; and the kingdom cannot purchase for me a single breath in return. “

How true it is that a single breath is more precious than all the wealth of the world! And yet we throw away thousands of breaths everyday, uselessly!

Wake up, O man! and realize he value of your breaths. Fill them with the Holy Name and spend them in the service of the surrounding world.

J.P. Vaswani