I recently attended a production of Rent. A powerful show and well done by the Bucks County Playhouse in New Home. One song invokes 525,600 minutes, the number of minutes in a year. The lyrics and the math got me thinking about time as a perishable commodity.

When I was 21, I thought 73 was forever away. That changed when family and friends passed away too early. When our children had children of their own. When you bring home a puppy, and you realize it’s your third dog and could be your last. When you start to make plans to celebrate a 50th anniversary.

All this begs the question that my forum discusses when we meet. How do you want to play the back nine, or now the last three or four closing holes? Those 525,600 minutes no longer sound like a lot.

Clearly, there are choices, many of which are driven by circumstances and resources. What I find satisfaction in is the opportunity to coach, mentor, support, and engage with those who are in the early stages of their career, organizations that focus on our young people, and firms that can use an experienced ear and voice that value not just the creation of wealth, but the creation of opportunity for employees, customers, and community.

Experience matters, but only when it is shared. What I have also learned is that experience is not absolute. That time, technology, innovation, creativity, and the energy of youth can and do change the narrative. The combination of the mix, teaching the gift of listening to customers, employees, and clients, focus, and accountability makes for a significant gift to pass on to a new generation, and they give their energy and innovation back to those of us with some miles.

525,600 minutes will continue to pass each year. The question is, what do you do with each minute? I know we are stronger together across generations and cultures. I also know that the challenges of our times are great. Even with 525,600 minutes a year, time is not our friend. Issues need to be faced.

The question is, how will we respond?  In Rent, the storyline is with compassion, grace, and tolerance.

I would add that we go together with our strengths across generations.

But we go.