Time is a noun that can be defined as an indefinite period: past, present, or future. It has no earthly cost; it cannot be stored, replaced, replicated, or saved, and it is set in stone from the moment it begins or ends.
"I can't wait to grow up," or, "I wish time would just fly by," are famous statements said by almost every child and regretted by almost every adult. Most kids just disregard adults when they try to warn them. I certainly know that I did. The truth is, listen to your parents, grandparents, elders, and anyone wiser than you kind enough to share their experiences. While you still have to learn for yourself, (I know I made plenty of mistakes that I had to learn from), advice is the best gift anyone could ever give you.
Take my words of wisdom because I learned my lesson, and it took me years to fully understand it, but time is the most valuable thing we have.
My family begged time to slow down, and I begged it to go faster. I just wanted to be able to drive, and I thought that if I could just be 15 I'd be happy. That came to pass, and shortly after, I wished for 16 because I always dreamed of being "Sweet 16." After that passed, I was dead set on reaching 18 and graduating high school. I thought if I could just graduate and move out of my mom's house then I'd really be happy. No matter which time I reached, I was always ready for the next.
Senior year seemed to have only lasted a week, and it was the best high school year I ever had. I was ready for college, or so I thought. I'll never forget the summer before freshmen year at FMU. I swore the days lasted longer on purpose and that the calendar randomly generated extra days. I thought the universe was trying to keep me in my little small town, but it was just me focusing on the next time again instead of enjoying the moment.
In college, I found myself doing the same thing that I'd done since I became a teenager, obsessing with when I could move on to the next time. I counted semesters, summer school, credit hours, and early graduation dates. I just wanted to get out, and for what? Why rush? I was barely 19 when I started college.
I turned 21 in December, and in the Spring Semester I registered for graduation. Then it hit me, like the rain hits the ground during a nasty storm. My undergraduate time at FMU was coming to a close, the life I have built for the last 3 years would be changing, and I found myself wishing for more time. My whole life I constantly was ready for the next time, and now I was finally ready for it to slow down.
Kids, adults are right. You are going to miss this. Slow down, and enjoy the present. Skip the movies with your friends, and see your grandmother. Hug your grandfather and listen to his old veteran stories. Babysit your little cousin, so your aunt and uncle can have a date night. Probably the other most important lesson I've learned is to cherish your siblings. One day you are going to need each other; believe me.
Given the opportunity, the only thing I would tell my twelve-year-old self is to stop wishing, stop wanting the next time, and live in the present. Learning the value of time made me the person I am today, but remember, advice is the kindest gift anyone can give, so here's your advice:
Time is the most valuable thing we have.
Cherish it.
