Today, I have a cautionary tale for you.

Once upon a time (as the best stories go), there was a poor, young man travelling in search of work.

A storm was brewing so he decided to seek shelter in a cave for the night.

Next morning, as day-light filled the cave, he rubbed his eyes in disbelief ... there, in front of him, was a treasure chest filled with gold coins and shining jewels. He couldn't believe his good fortune.

His find meant that he was now a very rich man.

Over the months that followed, the now rich, young man moved into a palace fit for a king. He knew that he never needed to work again so he hired servants to take care of his every need.

He had cooks, cleaners, dressers, gardeners, laborers and even people to fan his hot brow as he lounged in the afternoon sun!

The young man spent his days feasting on fruit and wine. He didn't lift a finger. Nor did it cross his mind that he could put his good fortune to greater use by helping his family or the poor people in the village.

Lazily, he slept his days away, enjoying the pleasures of his riches.

And this continued for many months and years. Until, one day, one of his servants said that there were no more gold coins or shining jewels to pay for all the luxuries that he had.

On hearing this news, the servants left the young, now very unfit man.

But he was far too weak to do anything for himself. He had entrusted everything to his servants and had forgotten how to cook or care for himself. His body had grown so weak that he really did struggle to lift a finger.

And because he had other people to think for him, his mind had become sluggish and dull.

His biggest mistake was that he had neglected his true riches ... the gifts that were his mind, body and spirit ... and his laziness had cost him everything.

There are several messages in this story but one to focus on is 'use it or lose it'.

When we neglect any aspect of our lives that is important ... whether health, fitness, or learned skills, expertise or knowledge, we risk losing the benefits of what we had.

Laziness is often the cause but so is not making time for the things that really matter.

If we don't look after our friendships, we lose them.
If we don't look after our fitness, we lose it.
If we don't look after our intellect, we can lose that too.

So, take some time to consider what's important to you and ask yourself whether you're giving it the care or attention it needs.

And remember George Bernard Shaw's nugget of wisdom ...

'We don't stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing.'

Make the very most of your day!