Time - the most precious gift that you can give someone

Some time ago, I pondered on a question: what is the most precious gift you can give to someone? I contemplated for a moment and the answer was obvious to me - it is not money, it is not some other possessions, it is actually your time!

However, I could not pinpoint the reason for this until I got a message which confirmed what I believed but also clarified why it is so. Time is the best gift you can give someone because when you give your time, you are giving a portion of your life that you will never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time.

What a profound thought! You can give someone money, but it does not make your 'poor' as it is possible to earn it again! But the time you give is 'gone' for ever, you will never live those seconds, those minutes of your life one more time. So, it has to be the most valuable 'thing' of yours that you can give. And it is free, even if it is priceless for sure!

This concept very much applies to the relationships we have in this world. It is not enough to just say relationships are important; we must prove it by investing time in them. Words alone are worthless. Our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action. Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is "T-I-M-E.”

Time is a very 'special' commodity. Harvey Mackay says, "You cannot own it, but you can use it. You cannot keep it, but you can spend it. And once you have 'lost' it, you can never get it back."

I know people would turn around and say that we just do not have time to give to someone who needs it, who would be happier, calmer, more relaxed, better because of it - that life is too busy! I think eventually it is a matter of prioritisation, or as Charles Brixton says, "You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it." For I do think that if we can make someone happy, then that is the ultimate means to our own happiness.

It is not easy to give the gift of time as there are so many demands on it. So sometimes, one needs to pause and reflect on how it can be done. Here could be some steps to follow:

• Think of a person whom you care about. 
• What might you be able to do for this person that entails nothing more than the giving of your time? Certain acts of kindness entail gifts of money or goods, but, in this exercise, time is of the essence, as it were. 
• Plan a gift of time for this person and give it, whether it means doing something with them or something for them on your own. Spend as much time as needed to do the favor well and do not take any shortcuts. You might even consider taking off your watch or putting your smartphone away. 
• If you did something for them on your own, do not tell the recipient of your gift how much time you spent. Let the gift speak for itself.

So, let us spend our time wisely. For it is said: "There’s only one thing more precious than our time and that’s who we spend it on." Amen!