All time is precious and not to be squandered by others
By Cazzy Lewchuk, Staff Writer
Our personal time is in many ways the biggest and most valuable commodity. Not only is it the only possession we have that can never be regained, but it’s the only commodity that everyone in the world has an equal amount of. We all have the same number of hours in a day in the end, although the activities we occupy it with and the efficiency in managing it varies.
Time has a huge amount of value. The gift of one’s time—whether it be you donating to someone else or receiving it from another—is often not appreciated enough for the generosity it is. Furthermore, many people do not understand everyone’s time has equal value, and see no problem with wasting others.
You should never assume that your time is more important than anyone else’s. There are many cases where our time interacts with others, and we may even be competing for it. For example, standing in line to get coffee can be a frustrating experience if it takes 10 minutes to order your double-double because three people in front are ordering several complicated drinks that take forever to make. There is nothing you can do about it. The person in front of you has just as much right to order the drink as you do, and they are spending their time in the shop.
Ideally, we would all be courteous of each other’s time. All our interactions would be efficient, taking as little time as possible and saving others’ time as much as possible. We should work towards a society where that is the case.
If someone gives you the gift of time in some way, remember to sincerely appreciate it and thank them. Whether that be by donating some of theirs, saving you time through a gesture, or working with you to accomplish something faster, it’s a valuable gift. Time is one of the few things that can never be truly created; it can only be transferred somewhere else.
Time is precious. Don’t squander it. Use your time effectively. Use others’ time even more effectively. All time has equal value. No one deserves to have their minutes taken up by someone who believes their lives and energy are more important. We are all living our lives at the same pace and doing what we think is important. That’s something that should never be taken away.
