So long, Farewell...

Time is an issue

As humans, we often overlook the simple joys and connections in our lives. Take our neighbors, for example. We live near them, yet we seldom take a moment to step outside and say a cheerful “Hello.” Why is that? Our common explanation is, “They live right next door so that I can visit anytime. Why make the effort now?”

Similarly, we have cherished friends who may live just a bit farther away, but even when it comes to catching up with them, we often claim we don’t have the time. The excuse typically goes, “I’m so busy with work, family obligations, and countless other responsibilities that fitting a visit into my schedule feels impossible.”

Even more striking is the fact that we reside in a vibrant city that draws millions of enthusiastic tourists each year. Yet, despite this influx of visitors eager to explore our cultural landmarks, many have never ventured to appreciate these sites ourselves. We tend to rationalize this neglect with thoughts like, “This is my city; I can always explore these places later.”

Time becomes our constant scapegoat for inaction and missed opportunities. We allow it to dictate our priorities, so we often lose sight of the beauty of connection and exploration surrounding us. In light of this, I’ve taken the time to write a reflective piece on the nature of time and its impact on our lives. I hope you find it thought-provoking and enjoyable.

What is TIME?

Time certainly does not wait for anyone. In fact, we should learn to prioritize things, as this will help us make the best use of our time. This feeling hits us especially hard when close friends are planning to move and start a new life elsewhere. That's when it really sinks in—BANG!

We wish we had more time to spend with them. Visiting them locally was manageable, but visiting them will be out of the question once they move! We start to feel sentimental and often end up organizing farewell parties. We create a To-Do list to capture as many memories as possible in the two months leading up to their move, hoping to have something to hold on to afterward. However, this often leaves everyone exhausted by the end.

Why do we burden ourselves so much?

Something to ponder upon:

We often encourage our children to develop planning skills, yet many struggle to grasp these concepts. This raises an important question: why does this happen? As it turns out, children absorb lessons primarily from their parents' behavior. Our children may still be disengaged when we, as parents, actively demonstrate effective planning strategies—such as organizing schedules, setting clear goals, and prioritizing tasks. This disinterest could stem from the fact that they often hear us nagging them about these skills, making it feel less like a valuable lesson and more like a chore. Consequently, they may not feel the need to invest effort in learning to plan, as they are accustomed to a cycle of reminders rather than engaging in discussions and positive reinforcement about the importance of these skills in their lives.

As we party and socialize nearly daily, we say a heartfelt farewell to our friends, wishing them luck and happiness on their new journey. Goodbye, my friends; I will miss you dearly. However, I am thankful for technology like Skype, Facebook, and chat apps that make distances feel smaller.