Tick Tock

Time. I wonder how much time I actually spend doing the things I won’t regret I didn’t do when I get older. That sounds weird… I guess I just wonder if I’m spending time where time needs to be spent.

Of course, there are things that I can’t NOT do. For example, working, eating and sleeping are things that usually cannot be compromised. I need to work for a living to pay for my livelihood and I need to eat and sleep so that I could be energized and be able to function properly. I’m a numbers person so I’m going to break this down numerically. There are 24 hours in a day, approximately 10 hours are spent for or at work (this accounts for time to get up, get ready and drive to and from work), and about 8 hours (on a good day) are spent sleeping. This leaves approximately 6 hours in a day for me to do whatever I please.

What am I doing with this time?

If I’m honest, I probably don’t do a very good job at regulating my time efficiently. I’d love to say that I spend those remaining 6 hours of my day devoted to quality time with family and friends or fervently in prayer and bible study. But the truth is, I spend most of my time occupied with things that don’t deserve my attention; such as social media, television, worrying, and anxiety (just to name a few).

I’m always saying that I desire quality time with my husband; but most days, I’m doing the same thing I’m complaining to him for doing. As I look at how crazy technology has grown, it saddens me how something that was created to help people be better at communication, some times severs communication. I remember hearing that social media was a great way for kids who are shy and reserved in school to make friends and gain confidence. But, in most cases, I fear that it has had an adverse effect. Now, instead of speaking to human beings face to face and in person, everything is done via social media or through some form of technology.

I’ve found myself guilty of tweeting or Facebook posting/messaging friends and/or family that I could very easily call and have a conversation with. I also wonder how I am when I’m actually with my friends and family; am I really spending quality time with them? Sometimes I find myself trying to take the best photo of my food, the best photo of the environment, the best photo of the group, and coming up with the most clever punch line to match the photo. It makes me question, have we truly considered how as we are trying to capture the moment, we’re actually missing it?

I know it’s cliche but time doesn’t stand still for anyone; once it’s gone, it’s gone. Are we doing things that will leave a legacy for our future generations? Are we making the most of our time with family and friends? How much time are we wasting complaining, stressing and being anxious about something that’s beyond our control? I think Matthew 6:34 says it best, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

I pray that we all begin to spend our time more wisely. My hope and prayer is that my daughter will one day think back to her childhood and remember how we always made the most of our time together; whether that be a 5 minute sing and dance session with mommy before work, or an entire day at the zoo with mommy and daddy. I want her to remember that we wanted to literally BE with her, not just make memories that we could recall later on Facebook. And in regards to anxiety, worry and stress, I have to constantly remind myself that it only takes time away from being able to laugh, love and enjoy the moments that are fleeting. Lets begin to spend quality time with loved ones, be in the moment, and not take everything so seriously. Time is of the essence.