Remember Twinkies? Those cream filled vanilla cakes that seem to last forever? I used to say that Twinkies and cockroaches would be the only thing to last through a nuclear attack. Sure, they were a delicious snack for some of us and after eating a few of them may fill our belly. However, they are so heavily processed there’s very little nutritional value – basically, empty calories. If we were to only eat Twinkies for the next week, our bodies would be starved for critical nutrients. And if we ate them for a longer period, I’m sure we would transform into a well-preserved, atomic proof human – on second thought, maybe I should eat them more often.

All joking aside, how often are we as men filling our time with things that don’t matter? It is so easy to live day-to-day, self-medicating through our metaphorical Twinkies. These include the dead scroll on social media, binge-watching our favorite shows, working too much, and losing sight of what’s important. The challenges of life often drive us to look for quick and easy hits of dopamine. These help us feel better about our situation, when in reality, that’s the last thing we need.

Instead, we should turn to bettering ourselves and building something that will last. What is the legacy you want to leave behind? Sure, it will take some effort, but anything worth doing in life will require some sacrifice on your end. You only have one life. This is your shot. How are you living? Are you just going through the motions, or are you living intentionally? Sure, it’s ok to relax and take a few minutes to watch your favorite show, or scroll through social media. But are you intentional about it?

Here’s the truth: Twinkies may last forever, but your time won’t. Each day is a chance to choose growth over distraction, connection over isolation, and purpose over passivity. The legacy you leave will be shaped not by the empty calories of convenience, but by the intentional steps you take toward meaning.