Time Is The Greatest Gift You Can Give
It’s important to appreciate when your friends give you their time because they’re giving you something they’ll never get back. With this they tell you that they love you, appreciate you and enjoy your company.
However, you need to understand the difference between someone who gives you their free time and someone who makes time to be with you. You can’t give them the same value, even when both situations are heartwarming and worthy of gratitude.
It’s really special when someone who has a very busy schedule puts his obligations aside for a while to spend time with you or listen to you. These moments are worth cherishing because they are shared with the people who give you affection and who want to talk to you in the language of emotions.
How much is an hour of your time worth?
It is already night, but the little boy has struggled to stay awake. His reason was well worth it: he was waiting for his father. His mischievous eyelids were heavy as the door opened.
Boy: ‘ Daddy, can I ask you something?’
Father: ‘ Yes, of course. What would you like to ask?’ Boy: ‘How much do you earn in one hour?’ – he asked with his eyes wide open.
His father, tired and irritated, was very curt in his answer.
Father: “ It’s none of your business. Why do you ask me such a thing?’
Boy: ‘ I just want to know, please tell me, how much do you earn in an hour?’
Father: ‘€100 an hour,’ he replied annoyed.
Boy: ‘ Oh.’ – The boy sadly lowered his head… ‘ Dad, can I borrow €50?’
The father became furious: ‘If the only reason you want to know how much I earn is to ask me for some money to buy stupid toys, then just stay in your room, don’t come out and think about why you’re so selfish. are. I work hard every day and then have to deal with this kind of childish behaviour.’
The boy quietly closed the door of his room. The man sat down and began to get even angrier at his son’s question. How dare he ask such questions just for a little money?
After about an hour, the man calmed down and began to think. Maybe there really was something he had to buy with that $50. After all, the boy did not often ask for money. So he approached the door of the room and opened it.
Father: ‘ Are you sleeping, boy?’
Boy: “ No Dad, I’m awake.”
Father: ‘ I’ve been thinking and maybe I was a little too harsh. It’s been a long day and I took my frustration out on you. Here’s the $50 you asked me for…’ – the boy got up and laughed.
Boy: ‘ Oh, thank you Dad!’ he said, putting his hand under his pillow and pulling out a handful of coins.
Then he sat up and grabbed more coins and crumpled bills from under his pillow. The man saw that the boy already had money and became angry again. The boy calmly counted his money and then looked at his father.
Father: “Why do you need more money when you already have so much?”
Boy: ‘Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do.’ – he answered enthusiastically. “Dad, now I have $100. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow, I want dinner with you.’
The father was distraught. He put his arms around his little boy and begged his forgiveness.
The best emotional gift: the investment of your time
Never forget that the best investment you can make is always the time you dedicate to your family and friends. Sadly, we often don’t realize this until it’s too late and we’ve lost the ability to give this gift to those around us.
If you die tomorrow, someone will take your place at work in no time. However, family and friends who are left behind will not be able to fill in that emotional space that will trigger your disappearance. So obviously there is no time as valuable as the time you spend with the people you care about.
Stay with the people who appreciate you, who hug you, who don’t lie to you, and who can make you feel without touching you. Dedicate time to the people who deserve it and who make you feel good. The people who love you will sooner or later show. Don’t forget to put your stress and obligations aside and take care of them like there is no tomorrow.
