In the final pages of Tolkien’s LoTR the Elven Queen, Galadriel says goodbye to the King of the New Age, Aragorn with this final bit of wisdom, “Do Well With Your Time.” This sort of mantle passing ceremony is the leader of one generation to the next. Like a Father to a Son, a Mother to a Daughter or a retiring leader to their replacement. However, the second meaning here is that we have a limited time in our day in age, and that we should do what we can, the best we can with what time we have.
So we really do gain some sage wisdom from the 63 year old Tolkien (at the time of the writing). He was always one to argue quickly not to take any meaning from his personal life into his writings, but this one phrase feels to have leaked out a little. Looking back through his life and especially the times that he experienced from 1892 to the 1970’s, he saw massive industrial revolution, world wars, inventions, and an all that the 20th century brought. His majestic elfish fairy was departing his world, departing his writings and he was at the same time admonishing those who were to read in future generations to do well with their time.
So that is what I aim to do. I want to use my time for good. To not say, in my last days, that I wasted a day. I will take an accounting of each day and make sure that I do the best that I can. I want to be able, when I am older and ready to depart, to a member of a younger generation the same thing. You have but a short life to lead, you have only so much time on this earth. Do not squander your opportunity!
Guy Reams
