time.

time is the only "thing" we all actually have. while it's not something we can hold, it is what defines our lives and facilitates our memories.

in the western world time controls us. while it is us that believe we are controlling it, with our time management classes, our outlook schedules and our triple booked hours... it is indeed the factor that controls our lives.

we panic if we're running late, stress about finding more time and even budget out our "free time". we live in hourly boxes, square days and columned months.

occasionally, i find myself complaining that time is moving too slowly. that if only i could speed through the boxes i don't want to do, i could get to a box i'll enjoy. usually though, we look back at our memories created throughout a particular day, hour or even a moment and complain time went by way too fast. it slipped right through our fingers... leaving projects incomplete and we then realize what we thought were our priorities received the least attention in the end.

in africa time is not an object of desire. all they own is time. leisure is prioritized and the clock maintains little purpose. the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening. time passes, little changes. a meeting at ten means see you around 11. no one stresses, no one is concerned. no one is controlled by the idea of time.

while some may point out issues to this perspective... the main point is, does it really matter?

whether you live your life planning every second or ignore seconds entirely... seconds always pass at the same speed. moments pass and experiences happen and we have absolutely no control over it.

we can either spend our life worrying about the idea of time, or... we can step back, breathe and take each second as it comes, controlling things we can - not what we cannot.