Quality vs. Quantity

"Time as a gift" can be interpreted in a lot of different ways.  It could refer to the fact that life is considered a gift and we only have a small amount of time to live our lives.  Or the fact that we only have so much time to spend with our loved ones.  It's important to use the time we do have to it's fullest extent and make it as meaningful as we can, because it's impossible to tell when our, or a loved one's time will be up.  

"Time is money" refers mostly, I think, to American's need for schedules and outlines.  I would imagine that this phrase became accepted during the time when America became obsessed with business and material wants.  The more time spent working, the more money made, the more objects we are able to buy.

"Time as a gift" is about quality, while "time is money" is about quantity.

If all people accepted the idea that "time is a gift" and slowed down to enjoy life, I think people, or at least Americans, would find themselves to be more genuinely happy.  Instead, however, we are too concerned with where we need to be at what time to get how much done, etc.  We allow the aspect of time to become a negative thing while we should be embracing the precious time we still have.  

I have a friend from Mexico and when I asked her what she thought about these views of time, here was her response:

"I come from Mexico and I think there are more differences than similarities on approach to time.  I like how in America almost all the time people and events are always punctual.  People here respect the time when something has to start and when something has to end.  In Mexico, it's amazing if someone is punctual or if an event starts on time.  I feel we are not as organized as America.  I like that in America everyone considers time important, but maybe a little too much.  I feel sometimes people do not take the time to really concentrate on what is important because they are always thinking on what they have to do next and at what time they have to do it."

I thought it was very interesting how she admires the fact that Americans have such structured schedules, but at the same time realizes that maybe we do take it too far.  I think I prefer the idea of having a very loose schedule, like in Mexico such as she described.  I'll agree that having a set time and place for events makes it easier to get things done, but why are we so determined to get so much done?  And for what?  But this is how it is.  And I think that, yes, it is important to have some structure in order to get these things done, but maybe we should look for an alternative way to go about spending our time.  Or at least loosen up a bit and enjoy our lives.