At a very early age, I learned just how precious time truly is. As the oldest in my family, I watched my little brothers grow up before my eyes. I understood loss at a young age and when you lose one of the most important people in your life, it puts time into a different perspective. When you are ten you can't wait to turn 16 and when you are 16 you can't wait to turn 21. Looking back, we were literally wishing our life away. If you have yet to experience a moment in your life where time gets put into a different perspective, I'm sure the recent pandemic has done that for you. Right now, you are probably feeling lost and confused. The pandemic does not understand the concept and importance of time. The most important times in your life were ripped away from you. The times when you were supposed to be making more memories with friends in your favorite bars or playing your senior season of the sport that has consumed your life for many years. The times when you are supposed to walk across that graduation stage or begin a new job. You may find yourself not being able to work or having to say goodbye to a friend way sooner than you expected. All of these are moments in life you didn't expect to miss out on.

For myself personally, before the pandemic struck the world at its worse, I was on a trip of a lifetime with my friends. Starting new friendships and eager to get back to school, I felt that things could only go up from here. Suddenly school was closing and my junior year went unfinished. I wanted time to stop. It's hard to look at this in a positive light. Missing out on these times should make you mad and upset. It should make you want to crawl into your bed and watch the rain wash down your windows all day long but you can't. With all that being said, this puts time into perspective. Never take for granted the days where you get to see your friends as you walk to class, or when you watch your team come together after a tough loss. Realize the effect that watching your favorite sports team in their home stadium and seeing your favorite bands perform has on your happiness. Instead of dwelling on the things that we have missed out on, live presently for the moments to come. The time you get to laugh with your friends, hug your grandparents, and go out to dinner with family should be looked at in a different light now. Don't sweat the small stuff, there isn't enough time for that.

Time is precious. You never know when important seconds of your life are going to be ripped away from you. Now that you know how much time is worth, stop wasting it. Ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus once said, "Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend." You never know when the next bump in the road will come and squander time, so spend what you have wisely.