--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The time actually at our disposal is only…" description: "\"The time actually at our disposal is only the present time. We can only act in the present. By continuously acting in the present, we have already crea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/646/t-joseph-benziger-9541_global-youth-develop_the-time-actually-at-our-disposal-is-onl_1799239.jpg" --- # The time actually at our disposal is only the present… ![“The time actually at our disposal is only the present time. We can only act in the present. By continuously acting in the present, we have already created our past. By acting in the present, we are going to realize our plans for the future. We cannot move backwards and undo what we did in the…” quote by T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/646/t-joseph-benziger-9541_global-youth-develop_the-time-actually-at-our-disposal-is-onl_1799239.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/646/t-joseph-benziger-9541_global-youth-develop_the-time-actually-at-our-disposal-is-onl_1799239.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/646/t-joseph-benziger-9541_global-youth-develop_the-time-actually-at-our-disposal-is-onl_1799239.jpg) > “The time actually at our disposal is only the present time. We can only act in the present. By continuously acting in the present, we have already created our past. By acting in the present, we are going to realize our plans for the future. We cannot move backwards and undo what we did in the past. We cannot move forward to tomorrow and do what we shall have to do tomorrow. We have to wait till the tomorrow becomes present and offers itself to our work.” [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emphasizes that only the present moment is actionable; past and future are defined by present actions **In simple terms:** Only now matters for acting and shaping past and future Key Takeaway Focus on present actions Themes mindfulness time agency Mood contemplative focused Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal decision-making - project planning - stress management - habit formation Key Concepts Temporal philosophy causality presentism Questions to Reflect On - How do you prioritize actions today? - What past habits limit your present focus? A Different Perspective Neglects structural constraints that limit present choices ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Act Present](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/act-present-2016513/) [Acting Present](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-present-2016514/) [Global youth development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/global-youth-development/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Move forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/move-forward/) [Plans For The Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plans-for-the-future/) [Present Continuously](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-continuously-2016515/) [Present Created](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-created-1423079/) [Present time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-time/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [How you act and how you present yourself determines how men will approach you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/how-you-act-and-how-you-present-yourself-determines-how-men-will/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Christ can present Himself through any of His created things, just to reach us and to be with us. Blessed are those who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/christ-can-present-himself-through-any-of-his-created-things-just-to/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [“The present is re-created to immortalize memories. It's pathetic, but that's human tendency now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/young-ha-kim/the-present-is-re-created-to-immortalize-memories-it-s-pathetic-but/) [Young-Ha Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/young-ha-kim/) > [As soon as you honor the present moment, all unhappiness and struggle dissolve, and life begins to flow with joy and ease. When you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/as-soon-as-you-honor-the-present-moment-all-unhappiness-and-struggle-2/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Establishment of Global Peace will not be possible simply by stopping wars; we should go deep in finding out the cases of violations of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/establishment-of-global-peace-will-not-be-possible-simply-by-stopping/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [Dear youngsters, please establish a mental balance on a permanent basis. Nothing is worthy of attaining in this world at the cost of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/dear-youngsters-please-establish-a-mental-balance-on-a-permanent/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [We keep the sediments of the past in the form of regrets, resentments, grudges, arrogance, defeatist attitude etc. that sap our energy and drag…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/we-keep-the-sediments-of-the-past-in-the-form-of-regrets-resentments/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [If gifts of nature are absent, if opportunities are not forthcoming on their own, we have no reason to grumble. Even a person, born…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/if-gifts-of-nature-are-absent-if-opportunities-are-not-forthcoming-on/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [Violence is taught systematically from various angles in the television serials and cinemas. The Police are shown as partnering with nasty politicians and criminals.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/violence-is-taught-systematically-from-various-angles-in-the/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [What good would happen to a person who is a genius with an unhealthy body? Before he could achieve anything using his brain, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/what-good-would-happen-to-a-person-who-is-a-genius-with-an-unhealthy/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [Dear Youth, please understand that we should avoid completely even small instances of violation of human rights, at our homes, towns, public places, organizations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/dear-youth-please-understand-that-we-should-avoid-completely-even/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [The youth would be able to live peacefully and prosperously only if they study the existing problems and their reasons well. If they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/the-youth-would-be-able-to-live-peacefully-and-prosperously-only-if/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [What is the point if a man strengthens his body to amazing levels by exercises and nutritional food; but neglects his mental hygiene thereby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/what-is-the-point-if-a-man-strengthens-his-body-to-amazing-levels-by/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [It is true that sometimes things may not happen as we expect them. We may have to change our course of action or even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/it-is-true-that-sometimes-things-may-not-happen-as-we-expect-them-we/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [Indian ancient literature refers to this inner commitment as a sankalpa; and deals with it elaborately. The inner commitment is all the more important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/indian-ancient-literature-refers-to-this-inner-commitment-as-a/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) ## More by T Joseph Benziger > [Very often we come across cases of irresponsible behavior even in the matter of establishing relationships. Such instances only show the lack of commitment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/very-often-we-come-across-cases-of-irresponsible-behavior-even-in-the/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [World is a mixed affair. Countless events are happening in the world; they vary quite vastly. Nobody can be side-tracked if he has clarity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/world-is-a-mixed-affair-countless-events-are-happening-in-the-world/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [If you dont do what is your duty on any subject, you cannot pardon yourself for the omission. So acting in time to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/if-you-dont-do-what-is-your-duty-on-any-subject-you-cannot-pardon/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [Indian ancient literature refers to this inner commitment as a sankalpa; and deals with it elaborately. The inner commitment is all the more important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/indian-ancient-literature-refers-to-this-inner-commitment-as-a/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [It is true that sometimes things may not happen as we expect them. We may have to change our course of action or even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/it-is-true-that-sometimes-things-may-not-happen-as-we-expect-them-we/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [Hurdle means one of a series of barriers to be jumped over in a race. This track and field event called the hurdles is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/hurdle-means-one-of-a-series-of-barriers-to-be-jumped-over-in-a-race/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [First of all we should be able to differentiate hurdles from any major impediment that would call for careful reconsideration of the project. Instances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/first-of-all-we-should-be-able-to-differentiate-hurdles-from-any/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [What is the point if a man strengthens his body to amazing levels by exercises and nutritional food; but neglects his mental hygiene thereby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/what-is-the-point-if-a-man-strengthens-his-body-to-amazing-levels-by/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [Take events logically one by one; ask yourself what is your dharma pertaining to a given event; and do it; and move on to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/take-events-logically-one-by-one-ask-yourself-what-is-your-dharma/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [I do not say that being ambitious or adventurous is wrong. One should take into account his or her family, environment, society, even the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/i-do-not-say-that-being-ambitious-or-adventurous-is-wrong-one-should/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [When we say anything is possible or nothing is impossible, we definitely exclude fantasies. Next, we should also take into account the gifts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/when-we-say-anything-is-possible-or-nothing-is-impossible-we/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [Take a vow: If I do anything, I shall do it only with full concentration, focused attention and with a sense of purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/take-a-vow-if-i-do-anything-i-shall-do-it-only-with-full/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [The youth would be able to live peacefully and prosperously only if they study the existing problems and their reasons well. If they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/the-youth-would-be-able-to-live-peacefully-and-prosperously-only-if/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [If success is our destination, we reach it through the vehicle of efforts; the fuel for this extraordinary vehicle is commitment. Our level of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/if-success-is-our-destination-we-reach-it-through-the-vehicle-of/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [Dear Youth, please understand that we should avoid completely even small instances of violation of human rights, at our homes, towns, public places, organizations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/dear-youth-please-understand-that-we-should-avoid-completely-even/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) [Explore all 72 T Joseph Benziger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) ## More Global youth development quotes > [Indian ancient literature refers to this inner commitment as a sankalpa; and deals with it elaborately. The inner commitment is all the more important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/indian-ancient-literature-refers-to-this-inner-commitment-as-a/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [It is true that sometimes things may not happen as we expect them. We may have to change our course of action or even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/it-is-true-that-sometimes-things-may-not-happen-as-we-expect-them-we/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [What is the point if a man strengthens his body to amazing levels by exercises and nutritional food; but neglects his mental hygiene thereby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/what-is-the-point-if-a-man-strengthens-his-body-to-amazing-levels-by/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [The youth would be able to live peacefully and prosperously only if they study the existing problems and their reasons well. If they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/the-youth-would-be-able-to-live-peacefully-and-prosperously-only-if/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [Dear Youth, please understand that we should avoid completely even small instances of violation of human rights, at our homes, towns, public places, organizations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/dear-youth-please-understand-that-we-should-avoid-completely-even/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [What good would happen to a person who is a genius with an unhealthy body? Before he could achieve anything using his brain, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/what-good-would-happen-to-a-person-who-is-a-genius-with-an-unhealthy/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [Violence is taught systematically from various angles in the television serials and cinemas. The Police are shown as partnering with nasty politicians and criminals.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/violence-is-taught-systematically-from-various-angles-in-the/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [If gifts of nature are absent, if opportunities are not forthcoming on their own, we have no reason to grumble. Even a person, born…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/if-gifts-of-nature-are-absent-if-opportunities-are-not-forthcoming-on/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [We keep the sediments of the past in the form of regrets, resentments, grudges, arrogance, defeatist attitude etc. that sap our energy and drag…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/we-keep-the-sediments-of-the-past-in-the-form-of-regrets-resentments/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [Dear youngsters, please establish a mental balance on a permanent basis. Nothing is worthy of attaining in this world at the cost of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/dear-youngsters-please-establish-a-mental-balance-on-a-permanent/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [Establishment of Global Peace will not be possible simply by stopping wars; we should go deep in finding out the cases of violations of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/establishment-of-global-peace-will-not-be-possible-simply-by-stopping/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [If one evil eats at the moral fiber of human life in this world that could be termed as Mother of Evils, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/if-one-evil-eats-at-the-moral-fiber-of-human-life-in-this-world-that/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [When we start doing something seriously, others assume that we have already committed fully to the task. If we give it up just like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/when-we-start-doing-something-seriously-others-assume-that-we-have/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [Such a great scientist, as Albert Einstein was, he could not prevent use of atomic weapons against the people, though he made an appeal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/such-a-great-scientist-as-albert-einstein-was-he-could-not-prevent/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [If we should combine all of what Swami Vivekananda taught and mention one quality he held as the most important, it is undoubtedly 'Self…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/if-we-should-combine-all-of-what-swami-vivekananda-taught-and-mention/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) [Browse all 34 Global youth development quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/global-youth-development/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The time actually at our disposal is only the present time. We can only act in the present. By continuously acting in the present, we have already created our past. By acting in the present, we are going to realize our plans for the future. We cannot move backwards and undo what we did in the past. We cannot move forward to tomorrow and do what we shall have to do tomorrow. We have to wait till the tomorrow becomes present and offers itself to our work.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "T Joseph Benziger" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/the-time-actually-at-our-disposal-is-only-the-present-time-we-can/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Global youth development" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/the-time-actually-at-our-disposal-is-only-the-present-time-we-can/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/646/t-joseph-benziger-9541_global-youth-develop_the-time-actually-at-our-disposal-is-onl_1799239.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/646/t-joseph-benziger-9541_global-youth-develop_the-time-actually-at-our-disposal-is-onl_1799239.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/646/t-joseph-benziger-9541_global-youth-develop_the-time-actually-at-our-disposal-is-onl_1799239.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The time actually at our disposal is only the present time. We can only act in the present. By continuously…” — T Joseph Benziger", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "T Joseph Benziger", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The time actually at our disposal...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/the-time-actually-at-our-disposal-is-only-the-present-time-we-can/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/the-time-actually-at-our-disposal-is-only-the-present-time-we-can/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```