Time is a quite precious thing you know; a gift from above. With time in our hands, we are able to progress in life, to mature, to grow up, and gain knowledge of the wonderful world we dwell within. Time too is a curse for many, those with life threatening diseases have to linger, for time decides when they will depart from their physical self’s. For others, time determines how long they have to complete a project. For those not proficient in spending their rare time wisely, time is a burden too heavy to support upon their shoulders. Yes, time is a precious thing, but how you manage it verifies if it is truly a gift in which you are capable of wielding.

Time wasting is a habit not many can break. I for one know how hard it is to be on time ALL the time, for I excel in the art of wasting not only my time, but others as well. I am a slow person, I like to take my time on different tasks and activities so I can do them right. Do not get me wrong, I am aware of the time when I waste it. I plan things out, you see. I always ponder while in the shower or while eating, what is the most important task I have coming up? I will then plan how much time to spend on that particular task as well as whatever other tasks I need to complete. Whatever time I have left over is my own free time you see. Rather than spending it by starting or finishing whatever other tasks I have left in hand, I will use it for a moment of contemplation, like meditation. And I will think about anything really, even something that randomly pops into my mind. This makes me look like I am absent-minded or lazy; but really, I am admiring the wonderful aspects of life. Whether it means spending an extra five minutes or so letting “loose” in the toilet or taking several minutes to put on my socks.

This form of anytime-anywhere-meditation sometimes backfires on me. When supposedly wasting time, I can make a lot of people around me very impatient and livid. You see, nobody really knows about what I do when I waste time, so of course they assume I am wasting time. My family is an excellent example of those impatient towards me when I am not working at a speed they appreciate. My parents are the ones who first told me that I was very sluggish and slow, always wasting time in whatever I do. Whenever we are going out, they find a reason to bellow at the speed in which I operate. “Angelous, hurry up and put on your shoes!” and “Angelous, you’re wasting time in the bathroom!” are just two of many memorable quotes I hear on a weekly basis from my beloved mother and father. Of course, I cannot say anything back for I would not want to have a sore behind for the rest of the weekend. And do not even get me started on when my parents are the ones that are wasting time grooming or number two-ing or whatever! Let’s just say that my behind would be sore for a whole month!

Unfortunately, my sister is not any better. She will yell and scream my name for ever if I do not speed up when eating breakfast before church or school. Unlike my parents, she won’t wait if I am consuming her time. She will bolt out of the house and arrive at our destination before me, making me look bad in front of the adults AND my parents allow it! When I leave before her because she is wasting my time, I get a lengthy lecture about how my sister is younger than me and I cannot leave her alone! Please parents; do you understand what you are saying?! So she is allowed outside without me, but not me without her? (Parent logic) My sister says I am always the one wasting time, and boy is that an overstatement. Do you know how long it takes to get her out of bed in the morning?

I have found that my meditation on the wonders of the world has taught me a lot. I better understand others and their problems. I have thought a lot about those with less than I have, and it has made me less greedy and more open to sharing. I have reflected on my future, where I want to go to school, what job I want to have, and the amount of money it would take to achieve these goals. Following these mind trips, I have asked for less and I am more responsible when it comes to spending and education. I have even considered priesthood in one of my many mind adventures. I am probably not going to become one, but I have all considered all the pros and cons of devoting my life entirely to the Lord. So everyone out there who thinks I am a time waster, a slow poke, the weak link, just know that I do more than sit on the toilet when I am in the bathroom.

Now, even though I do spend time contemplating life, I admit to sometimes… ok maybe often just wasting time because I am kind of slow. (My initials form the word “lag” after all. Coincident?) Sometimes I leave my homework for the last minute for example. As I grow up, I know I am going to slowly but surely shed out of this horrendous habit but it is difficult. You see, though maybe a third of my assignments are done at the last minute, I have ALWAYS received outstanding marks on them. I cannot recall assignment I have done last minute in which I have received below an 85%. And a majority of them are above the 90s.

I do read a lot even when I am not supposed to. Often, I get so caught up in a book, I almost (notice how I said “almost”) forget what time it is, sometimes causing me to be a couple minutes or so off on my daily schedule. My mother always says “There is a time and place for everything” and I have clearly not hammered that quote hard enough into my brain for she often finds some of my novels hidden under the toilet sink.

Time is a wonderful thing, and if you can manage it, you will surely succeed in life. I have not quiet mastered bending time to my will, and that is ok. I am still youthful and learning. As long as I am efficient, good things will come to me. Slow and steady wins the race. I just hope I am not late on my wedding day…

Angelous