A to Z: Year (time)

A year, a day, a century, a minute. Time.

Time is one of those abstract things in life that we think about all the time, and yet not at all. We always need to know a certain time to be somewhere, when we should leave, how much time we have left. Days are measured in time, life is measured in time and our daily lives revolve around time. Yet do we really think about it properly?

Not very often. Even when we do it's more like, do I have enough time to be able to do all the things I want to in life? Is my biological clock ticking away? Am I too late?

Sundial, image from Google

When really we should be thinking about the sheer amount of time we do have, noting that there's not really that much of it, and making the most of it now, rather than later. That's why I try to make every minute count in my life. I have plans of things I want to do, but I'll still do them even when I get really old, because time sure as hell won't stop me.

Time, really, doesn't matter. Because although it's useful to know how many hours you have left in your day, and how long you should be sleeping for, our time could stop at any moment, and then what would have been the point in worrying about it? But then, if you're late for a job interview because you don't believe in time, well, that would be your own fault.

It is a shame that the world is ruled by time, but if we didn't have it (we assume) the world would just be a mess. Though personally I think our body clocks would work it out for us.

This year, I'm going to make a promise not to worry too much about time, and to enjoy life as I live it. As it's coming up to my birthday (another marker of time, I'll be 22 in case you're wondering) I think it should be like my mantra for my next year.

What would you do with your life if you had the time?

A to Z: Letters

I thought Letters was quite appropriate, as in the A to Z challenge we are celebrating how diverse letters can be, and what words you can find that begin with them, and hopefully using that letter to inspire a great post.

The kind of letter I'm thinking of though is a letter that you might send by post or e-mail or that you could type or hand-write. A form of communication. A love letter, a dead letter, a lost letter and so on. A piece of prose that's frank and sometimes beautiful.

Now I've typed the word 'letter' so often that it seems like a weird word. Does it seem weird to you? So many e's and t's.

So now I'm going to write a letter. This one in particular is to my younger self, because she really needs it. The question 'What would you say to your teenage or younger self now?' is one that is asked a lot. I think it's about time for mine.

April 13th 2013

To me,

Now that your teenage years are starting, there are a few things you should know. I'm here to tell you all about them. Please heed my words. I know you're stubborn (and you will only get more so), but just listen, it'll pay off.

First off, don't listen to the bullies. They're morons. You'll grow into your looks one day, it'll take some time though. Now some of them have fallen pretty darn low. You'll love the payback they get.

Secondly, don't waste your time with people who you're not sure about. You're actually not a bad judge of character. Listen to that, and also, tell your sister to listen to it too. These people will turn out to be just as awful as you thought they might be. Definitely don't waste time on boys who are up and down like a yo-yo. You're better than that. But take a chance on one and see how well that turns out.

Thirdly, liking different music is not a crime. Embrace it. In time it'll be pretty cool that you like the golden oldies.

When you want to die your hair red (yes, you really will) just do it, and don't listen to teachers telling you how bad it is, because nowadays you've reverted back and people seem to think it suits you. Red hair rules.

Do the things you want to do. It doesn't matter what people say. Grab life and shake it up a little. I know you will anyway, but do it more so. Jump at chances, and for God's sake try to get a job at 16, you really need the experience.
If you're proactive and happy, everything will fall into place.

Yours Faithfully, me (only older and hopefully wiser).