Even though it’s something that’s all around us and most of us take it for granted, time is one of the most mysterious forces in the universe. Why does it matter so much? What are some things everyone should remember when thinking about time? Here are ten reasons why time is important:
1. Everything is bound to time
Every single thing in the universe is affected by time. Whether it’s a tulip, human, or a star, all things gradually age and eventually decay as time progresses. The speed of that decay can vary, but material things aren’t eternal and will eventually end.
2. Time is the most precious resource because you can’t get it back
What are you going to do with the time you’ve been given? The answer to this question really matters because you can’t get wasted time back. People often think of money as their most valuable resource, and while it is important because it allows you to buy the things you need and want, you can get money back. Time, however, is intangible and once it’s gone, it’s gone.
3. Because of privileges, not everyone truly has the same amount of time in a day
There’s an inspirational saying that basically states that everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, so no one can complain about not having time for the things they want to do. However, the reality is that while everyone does technically have 24 hours in a day, the amount of free time they have varies dramatically. While someone with a good job that has normal working hours can spend a fair amount of time practicing a skill, someone who needs to work many more hours to earn the same amount can’t. In that sense, even though they both have 24 hours in a day, time is relative for them.
4. No one knows how much time they have
Another reason why time matters so much is that no one knows how much they’ve got. People can die at any age and from any reason, and no one can predict the future. Being aware of this uncertainty can have a dramatic effect on how you live your life.
5. The only time we actually have is the present
As humans, we are aware of the three stages of time – the past, the present, and the future. We can use the past to learn and we can prepare for the future, but the present is the only space we have to work in. Research shows that being more mindful of what’s going on right now and living in the present benefits both mental and physical health.
6. How we see time impacts happiness
Speaking of the past and the future, a person’s perspective of these two times has a big impact on their happiness and peace of mind. Many of us spend a lot of time ruminating on the past or worrying about the future. If we are able to let go of the past and what can’t be changed, and look ahead in the unknown with hope instead of fear, we would feel a lot happier and calmer.
7. Managing it poorly or well has a huge impact on life
In his play “Macbeth,” Shakespeare wrote, “Let every man be master of his time.” Because we only have so many hours in a day and we don’t know how many days we’re going to get, mastering or managing the time we do have is essential. Good time management can help you in every area of life, whether it’s work or at home, and ensures you make the most out of every moment. Whether you fail or succeed at something often breaks down to time management, not skill.
8.Relationship are made or broken by how much time you invest
Community is very important for a person’s health and wellbeing. Maintaining relationships takes a commitment and whether it’s a friendship or romantic partnership, time is a key element. Healthy relationships don’t just develop overnight. How much time people invest is often the main difference between a relationship that’s deep and fulfilling, and one that’s shallow.
9. Skills are impacted by how much time you invest
In the recent past, there was a popular belief that it takes about 10,000 hours to master a skill, and while the real number is up in the air right now, it remains true that developing skills takes time. The specific amount of time depends on the person and their time management, but overall, just being willing to put in the hours and practice a skill pays off.
10. Time is a teacher and a healer
The old phrase says that “Time heals everything,” and while that often feels hollow to people in the middle of a painful experience, they often find that it eventually becomes true. Sometimes the only way to get a new, healthier perspective on a situation is to give it time. Within that time, a person is given the opportunities to think about what’s happened and experience other things. Time serves as both a teacher and a healer, and while a person may not go back to who they were before, time has allowed them to grow.
