Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, who leads a $2 trillion software and AI company, delivered an impactful speech at the CSPA 2023 Annual Conference. “Very few people know this,” he shared. “I don’t wear a watch. And the reason why I don’t wear a watch is that now is the most important time.” He further elaborated, “You’ll be surprised. I am not at all ambitious. I don’t aspire to do more; I aspire to do better at what I am doing. People who know people realize that Nvidia does not have a long-term strategy. Our definition of a long-term strategy is what we are doing today.”
His words intrigued me. While many of us are conditioned to have long-term plans and goals, here is a successful engineer leading a $2 trillion company who confesses that he does not believe in maintaining long-term strategies or goals. Yet consider what he said: “our long-term strategy is what we are doing today.” In other words, he advocates for the power of NOW.
There is much to ponder regarding Jensen Huang’s insight. As I tried to relate it to this Sunday’s Solemnity, Christ the King, I see that it connects to the Gospel’s emphasis on the importance of living fully and attentively in our everyday lives. This is echoed in Jesus’ teaching not to worry about tomorrow and to learn from the lilies of the field and the birds of the sky. He wants us to focus on our daily lives, which does not mean doing nothing, but trusting that, with our abilities, He provides for what we need.
The Solemnity of Christ the King is not about passively awaiting the triumphant return of Christ. It is about passionately living and fulfilling our daily lives by utilizing our gifts to create a better world. In doing so, we make ourselves worthy to welcome Jesus, the King of the universe and our hearts.
Thus, as Jensen Huang suggests, we must focus on the present; we must engage in dialogue about how we can improve in what we are already doing. This applies to our personal lives, relationships, businesses, and church life.
As we reach the end of this liturgical year, which interestingly occurs just before Thanksgiving Day, we must ask ourselves and one another: What can we do better NOW? How can we live each day with a greater awareness of the importance of daily living and make the most of it?
I wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving! May we all live passionately and kindly, remembering to live not just for ourselves but for others. May we work together to bring success to the endeavors we pursue in all aspects of life—family, business, government, and church. Here at our parish, may we listen to one another and strive to make our community welcoming, joyful, and faith-filled, journeying together as the Body of Christ towards eternal life with God.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
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