Do I Have a “Best Before” Date?

Browsing through a newly opened international food store, John and I bought several items on impulse. That evening for supper we tried one of them – falafel balls. Despite our having followed the cooking instructions carefully, they turned out awful. The balls had turned as hard as rocks, inedible as-is. Rather than waste them, we used the pointy end of knives like chisels to break the balls into little bits. And then we added those bits to an array of toppings for our tortillas. We were pleased that at least we weren’t just tossing it all out.

Gradually we noticed an odd after-taste and realized the oils were rancid. Yuck. The package did not have either a “best before” or “expiration” date, so there would not have been any obvious way to avoid it.

Later that evening I wondered if there is a larger lesson in this story. What about humans - do we have a “best before” and “expiration” date? We know we are mortal, which means that our time here on earth is finite. Continuing the comparison to dates for packaged foods, I suppose this means that we have an “expiration date” even if we don’t know what it is.

That got me thinking about my “best before” date. It will be sometime in the future though probably sooner than my expiration date. How does this affect my actions? I can decide not to postpone too much. “If not now, when?” can be considered. Take the trip, visit the friend, learn the skill, ask the question, return the borrowed item, clean up the mess. I can remember that it is never too early to apologize for a mistake, to be thankful for good fortune, to help others, to be curious and continue learning, to set goals. Of course there may be practical limits, but so long as we are alive we are changing and growing. Up until the moment of death we can live purposefully and be useful in some way.

Time puts limits on many things. Being effective in an emergency, responsive to a friend in need, prepared for an opportunity – these are examples of time-limited events. Life circumstances may set limits, too. If something is out of reach due to cost or time or my own health, then I can determine what is feasible and satisfying. There is nothing wrong with deciding not to do something. On the other hand, chronic procrastination is another matter.

The phrase “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” comes to mind. Put yet another way, the iconic comedian Lucille Ball observed: “I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.” For another perspective about regret, here are some words from another cultural icon, William Shatner: “Regret is the worst human emotion. If you took another road, you might have fallen off a cliff.” I especially appreciate the reminder that every action has an unknown outcome.

Just to wrap up this chain of thoughts about our “best before” and “expiration” dates, I will add a quotation from the Baha’i Writings. I have included this in other columns over the years as I find it suits so many situations: "If we are not happy and joyous at this season, for what other season shall we wait and for what other time shall we look?" Indeed. Why wait to smile, laugh, or say thank you?

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Submitted to Ayr News by Jaellayna Palmer October 2026