Everything unused eventually goes to waste—whether it’s your talents, possessions, or skills. Consider a bicycle: if left unused for too long, it will rust and become unrideable. A playground neglected for months will soon be overrun with grass, losing its functionality as a place for recreation. Similarly, artistic skills such as painting will diminish over time if not practiced regularly. Learning a new language is no different—if you don’t apply it through speaking, reading, or writing, the effort spent acquiring it will be in vain. Quite simply, if you don’t use it, you lose it.
For students, this principle is especially critical. Knowledge gained through reading and studying must be revised periodically, or it fades from memory. Without regular revision, even diligent study will fail to yield good results in examinations. History offers countless lessons: for instance, Dandi Rishi once told Alexander the Great, “All the territories you conquer will be lost as soon as you abandon them.” His prediction came true—many of Alexander’s governors refused to remain loyal in his absence. Henry Ford remarked, “Money is like an arm or leg—use it or lose it.” For any practice-intensive endeavor, consistent effort is key. Without repetition, the impact of any learning or skill is diminished.
Knowing this, we must consciously nurture every aspect of our lives to prevent them from slipping away. Relationships, for example, require attention and care. Neglect causes friendships to fade, and love to disappear. Without communication and effort, even the strongest bonds can break.
The message is clear: if you don’t use it, you lose it. Whether it’s your knowledge, skills, or relationships, give them the attention they deserve. By doing so, you ensure they remain meaningful, vibrant, and valuable parts of your life. John Templeton very aptly summarised this by saying, “If you don’t use your muscles, they get weak. If you don’t use your mind, it begins to fail.”