Time is More Valuable Than Money

 

  

Over the past few years I have been in a real conundrum, thinking about what the best avenue to develop into an individual with true value.  The success of others in their careers has led me into the sort of thinking that is convoluted to what our life's purpose truly is.  Money is an essential part of life in this part of the world.  One night while I was hanging out with my four year old niece we started watching a show about the tiny island of Anuta. What interested me most about this island was the values and principles in which they kept their inhabitants living and loving life.

    

An important value in Anutan society is aropa, which emphasises collaboration, sharing and compassion for others. The concept of aropa encourages islanders to share their finite resources equitably.  The way the Island has sustained itself is somewhat of a modern miracle to science because it has one of the highest population densities in the world.  The working together of all its people has created not a need for mutual funds, investments or the latest and greatest material items. What it has created, is a sense of community and fellowship that doesn't look for a way of escape but rather a way of embracing what Mother Nature herself has provided them.  In order to preserve this paradise that they have created, the Anutan people do not hunt animals and fish because they understand the importance of sustainability.  Their down time is spent enjoying fellowship with one another and smiling at the joys their lives have bestowed upon them.

  

 Please don't get me wrong, the part of the world we live in does not give us the ability to live like the people of Anuta do, but it still does not excuse us from taking lessons from such a humble and happy people.  In order to get the extraordinary out of life we must be willing to embrace the ordinary.  All around us everyday we have so many blessings to be thankful for.  Take a stroll outside and see all the magnificent glories that this Earth is offering and appreciate the people you come across throughout it.  Kurt Vonnegut once said “Enjoy the little things in life because one day you`ll look back and realize they were the big things.”  When we understand that each and everyone of us were not created for greed, hate, envy, jealousy or want but rather for love, sharing, caring, understanding and need our world becomes a much brighter place. 

    

The other day I asked myself this one question "what would I rather someone give me 10,000 dollars or 10,000 minutes.  The answer was much too simple, the value I place on people rather than on materials has given me a much higher perspective.  Like I said from the get go, money is an essential part of the world we live in but it should never replace or overtake time that we spend with those around us.  Listen to what your heart is saying because it is not a stone and it is truly fragile when it is alone.  Are we so caught up keeping up with Joneses that we have no time to get to know them and enjoy their company?  Sometimes the focus needs to not only be on what we have in our bank accounts but, what deposits we bestow on the lives of those around us.  Money can't buy happiness or love but the time you spend with those around you most definitely can.  Always remember that your time is much more valuable than money.