Time is of the essence

Time is the one currency that always diminishes. Every day, we lose more time here on earth. All of us are only on this planet for so long, and while some people have more time than others, life is about what we do with our time, not how much of it we receive.

Time matters

Sure, the longer you are on earth, the longer your impact as a human being can be felt. Yet, some of the most impactful people in the entire existence of humanity didn’t have much time. Some notable people include Anne Frank, Bruce Lee, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and, more recently, Kobe Bryant. Each of these individuals had a significant impact on the world and created change. Some made societal differences, others defined hard work and dedication, but they all inspired generations.

If I asked you how long it would take to inspire a generation, how much time would you say? There is no set amount of time it takes to influence others. No matter the scale of your influence, large or small, it is equally profound. In this way, plenty of people, not mentioned above, made just as much of an impact throughout their lives but never had a spotlight on them.

Examples include those who have taken in and adopted young children without any parents, those who’ve stopped on the side of the road to help someone, those who gave a voice to the voiceless. Many of these individuals, although never acknowledged in the same way the former celebrities mentioned were, didn’t care. They completed acts of kindness without any yearning for notoriety and focused more on making the most of the time they were given by helping others.

Time is not the only thing that matters

While time is as essential as air, it’s not what should always be at the forefront of priority. I know this sort of goes against what I was saying, but hear me out. I attempt to make the most of my time, day in and day out. However, I know there are some days when I merely “waste the day away.” Maybe I lay on the couch for a few hours and just read articles, scroll through old pictures, or watch mindless videos. But it’s these very moments where I recharge my batteries.

You can’t always be on the go. You can’t always be productive. You can’t always make every second count. Through recognizing this, you make the time you do have count instead of taking away more time by being hard on yourself for not being productive. You can’t always make impactful use of your time. It helps if you attempt to make the most of the time you do have, especially the free time. But we all get burnt out. Whether you’ve stayed up late every night, got up early every day, or practiced something religiously; eventually, time catches up to you. There are moments we must be kind to ourselves and ask, did I waste my time, or did I recharge my batteries? We all need these little moments of self-reflection.

“Everyone needs time to escape the everyday pressures of reality to sit in stillness and just be.”

Without apt time for self-reflection, we can fall apart. The very same way we are passionate about making use of our busy time, we must be equally passionate about making use of our downtime. Sometimes making use of our downtime means just staring at a wall and daydreaming. Other times, it means lying in bed listening to a podcast. These little, yet precious moments allow us to be more productive when it is time to get to work.

Timing

Timing is something, but not everything. The essence of time isn’t uncomplicated. Time, in it of itself, is a very complex and arduous journey. As we reflect on our own lives and the decisions we’ve made, we must always remember the great equalizer, time. Often, it forces us to make decisions we weren’t necessarily prepared to make, which can be a good thing, because it encourages growth. Although at the moment in time, it feels like the wheels are falling off, and chaos is about to ensue.

“Time is like a caterpillar, ever-changing, and morphing.”

You can’t control time. You will never be able to. It’s where the saying “time goes on with or without anyone” comes into play. Time reigns supreme, which is all the more reason to make the most out of your time. Time is the very vessel of our lifetimes, so don’t go rationing it out to the facets of life that serve no purpose. Put your time towards the aspects that matter. You know, the ones of utmost value, such as family, friends, passions, growth, and spirituality. Be willful, intentional, and purposeful with your time, and you’ll never regret it.