By Rusty Potter
“If I could turn back time…” Those words, made famous by Cher in her 1989 hit, capture a feeling we all had at one point or another. Tyrone Davis echoed a similar sentiment in his soulful classic, “If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time.” Both songs reflect a universal truth: we’ve all wished we could go back, undo mistakes, revisit special moments, or simply relive a better yesterday. But no matter how deeply we wish, time doesn’t go backwards.
Time is one of the most consistent forces in our lives. It does not negotiate, it does not pause, and it certainly does not reverse. You can wind back your watch or reset your clock during Daylight Saving Time, but you cannot rewind real time. The seconds you’re living right now, you will never get them again.
That’s why we must learn to be like time. Keep moving forward. Don’t dwell too long in the land of “could have,” should have, “ or used to.” Yesterday may hold lessons, but your future holds purpose.
Regret is heavy. It will weigh you down and anchor you to a place you’ve outgrown. But time? Time doesn’t carry regret. It just keeps ticking, unbothered, undistracted. Imagine how much lighter life would feel if we took on the mindset, pressing forward without constantly looking back.
We need to manage our time wisely.
Every day, we’re given 1440 minutes. That’s 86,400 seconds. What are we doing with them? Are we investing in our dreams and our families? Are we building or simply existing? Are we procrastinating or progressing?
Too many people wait for the “right time.” The right time to start a business. The right time to take care of their health. But here’s the truth: the right time is now! Because now is the only time we truly have.
Our community is full of gifted individuals – leaders, visionaries, and doers. But potential doesn’t reach its peak on pause. It grows when we take action, when we decide that forward is the only direction we’re willing to go.
So yes, Cher sang about turning back time. Tyrone Davis wanted to rewind the hands. But we don’t have that luxury. And maybe that’s a good thing. Because it forces us to be present. It urges us to be intentional. It invites us to be like time – committed to progress.
As you read this, remember: the clock is ticking – not to make you anxious, but to remind you that you’re alive. You’re capable. You have this moment. Don’t waste it.
Make it count. Move forward.
