The Most Precious Gift: Time

As I sit here in my fiance's living room sipping iced water while listening to my favorite easy morning music in Mississippi I thought it would be the best time to write about why not being busy is such a great thing. This summer I have FORCED myself to simply do nothing so I could give myself time to recover from previous hectic semesters, summers, and jobs. You see, I seemed to always give everyone else so much time and be so understanding if other people cancelled on me, or never texted me back because I know how busy everyone is, but you see this summer, even though I have had plenty of alone time I have also realized how much control we have over our time. (On a slight tangent no one is ever too busy for you which is a harsh truth. Those friends you haven't talked to in forever are simply not thinking of you.) Now back to the main point, we have complete control over how we spend our time. I have seen people overload themselves with tasks over and over again and those same people who finally get some free time freak out over not being overwhelmed with business. This summer I had signed up for three classes, an internship, and was looking into getting a part time job. Sounds like your normal summer to most of you, and for me up until recently, that's the kind of summer I would have had if i had not started to RESPECT my time. The hours I would have spent working on classes, I have spent that time reflecting and free writing which is something i have always loved. The time I would have spent making money I have spent that time making something more important, memories. The time I would have spent interning for a company I have spent on planning for my wedding. Time, is the most valuable gift, and I have always believed that to be true, so I finally chose to give myself the gift of time well spent. Opportunities will come and go. Money will be made and spent and made again. But time will never come back. Once it is gone, it is. I challenge you to be more aware of how you choose to spend your time. If you miss your family, call out of work. If you miss your significant other, surprise them with guess what... more time. You will never regret giving yourself more time to reflect, to recover, to grow. Please do not let the time you start respecting your time be only after you attend a funeral.