It’s the one commodity we deal in every day that is more precious than anything. It’s effortlessly spent, and not so easily saved. It continues to go on no matter what happens to you, me, or anyone else. We are encouraged to use our time wisely, for it is finite; there will be a time when our time will come to an end, whether we are ready or not. No one knows what the afterlife holds for us, and so the only thing to be sure of is that we have this time on Earth, right now.
That being said, it is indeed very easy to waste this precious resource that has been given to us. So many of us waste it on frivolous matters, such as obsessive worry about the future, continuing to relive our past within our minds day after day, or not taking action on our dreams, paralyzed by fear. All the while, time is passing around us.
Yes, we measure time with our watches, cellphones, and clocks, but it is a mere representation of where we are in time, like a map that tells us, “You are here.” We try to use it to help use block out spaces in our lives for certain things, such as being at work, or at play. We use it to co-ordinate things such as music, and entertainment, or when we should eat, or go to sleep. A structure is established, and things appear to be “in-order.” However, just like anything else, if time is mismanaged, or over-managed, it will cost us in the long run.
Being non-productive wastes time; and so does living your life strictly by your schedule. It appears that the best thing we can do is to budget our time, tending to what needs to be done, yet still have some left for enjoyment. It’s an unavoidable part of the balancing act of life, and if you don’t manage it, it will do what it does, no matter what. You can’t stop it, and you can’t go back to the past, or into the future (not yet, anyway!) All you can do is live in the present moment, regardless of what your mind may tell you.
Time is indeed precious. Why? Because what we lose, we can never get back. It is therefore a non-renewable resource. Once it’s gone, that’s it. There will come a day when our yesterdays will outnumber our tomorrows, and our chances of “starting over again,” will be fewer. As each decade passes, we notice the change (or lack thereof) in ourselves, and in others. We aren’t so spry as we used to be. Our bodies aren’t as forgiving, and weight that is gained isn’t easy to get rid of. Health risk increases, and our bodies are susceptible to things that in our youth, would easily be defeated by our immune system.
I could say that I did not use my time wisely in my younger years, but I realize why now. I took it all for granted and even dreaded most of it. I didn’t realize the importance of time because I didn’t care about myself very much to begin with. I tried in desperation to find my future, and my role in society. I didn’t truly try to find my life’s calling. I sat in long periods of self-analysis, wondering, worrying, and waiting. Before I knew it, 25 years had gone by, and I was nearing the fourth decade of my existence. It’s only recently that I’ve awakened, seeing how much valuable time has passed. As a result, I make the most of every day now, the best that I can.