I believe in the value of time. I believe that our helter-skelter lifestyles have taught us to forget its value and that it is not just our own, which leads to the disrespect of other's time as well.  

I had become that girl: the one who had accumulated a list of extra-curricular activities that seemed never-ending. My time was always spent at school or in some club meeting. It became necessary to start planning my social calendar two weeks in advance, scheduling in time with those I cherished most while avoiding the “time waster” that would prevent me from accomplishing my day's tasks. The concepts of leisure time, sleep, and relaxation all became foreign as I had come to accept getting little of each, working into the late hours of the night just so I could finish one last project. If ever caught mindlessly watching TV or sucked into the realms of Facebook, my conscience guilted me out of simply doing nothing. I began to justify tardiness, too; after all, everyone else knew my schedule and must understand. What were a few minutes anyway? They never did start the meetings on time. And, of course my friends wouldn't mind either- they're just as busy and get that I don't have time for them this week. Or the next. And maybe the next. Such faulty thinking was not recognized until I attended Kanakuk this past summer where I reassessed and began to change my lifestyle.   

“It's not just your time, but the time of others.” I felt as if these words were being spoken to me directly. I had forgotten the value of time in the proceeding months, and not just my own; the time of my friends and family, co-workers and fellow club members had been quickly dismissed as I deemed my own more important. But how? My activities weren't more prestigious or honorable than theirs, nor were they more time-consuming. Instead, it had been my selfishness that corrupted such thoughts. I had learned to think, “What can I do with my time” not “Whose time am I spending” and “how is it benefiting them?” For too long I had been taught to think of furthering my future, building a resume, and getting involved in high school as much as possible. By adhering to such principles, I had lost time around the family dinner table, in the bleachers at a friend's sporting event, and doings what I loved most. I hadn't taken time to lie next to my dog, take a walk outside with my camera, or pass around the volleyball with my sister. Essentially, the time I had strategically spent was wasted.  

Such a reality is always tough to accept, figuring out that your value of time has been considerably wrong and your year spent incorrectly; however, it is a reality we all must face. It reminds us that time is not some expendable gift and that it must be cherished and used wisely. Its value must be seen not only for personal gain, but also in respect to others, for time is claimed by all.