Gift of time

I recently lost my cat, which had been with me for 15 years. He was my best friend and companion, a little kitty we found by the dumpster near our house. Initially, we thought he was a female and let him go. However, he returned to our doorstep once more, asking to be taken into our home. Since then, we have been inseparable. Seeing him go was the most painful thing that happened to me this year, which led me to realize that he had devoted his life as a gift to our family.

Time, in all its essence, is a gift. It is afforded to one and given out of the effort to carve it out from a busy schedule. With so many things happening right now, along with the perils of technology, it is very easy to get drawn into countless distractions. We forget how to actually live and spend time in ways that make it worthwhile. For me, I felt like the 15 years I had with my cat were not enough. It seemed like only a portion of that time was truly spent appreciating this special creature, leaving me with a rush of regret.

If there is anything I would ask for this Christmas, it would be time. It could come in the form of year-end gatherings, special coffee dates, and shopping sprees with those I hold dear. The demands of work have driven us to forget the other life we live outside the four walls of the office. It is not only that, but we also failed to separate work from personal life. Now is not the time to glorify being overworked as though it were an achievement. Time lost can never be regained.

I also want to give time to those who matter to me. With a wide array of activities and events to choose from, I have reached a point where I carefully select only those that truly hold value. Meetings that could have been emails or messages often turn out to be unnecessary wastes of time. It is better to intentionally choose whom and what you want to devote your time to. On the other hand, I also want to thank all my readers for the little time they afford me. It is a challenge to get someone to read my pieces through to the end, and that in itself is already a great gift to me. For that, I thank you.

We cannot turn back time, no matter how much we want to. The best thing we can do is live each day as if there is no tomorrow. If there are words left unsaid this year, take the time to say them. If there are actions you wish to take for your loved ones, do them now before it is too late. Regret is as painful as grief, and lifting that burden from your shoulders can make the days feel a little lighter. I wish you all the best times this Christmas season. Happy holidays!