Save the Birds

People who complain that they never have enough time fail to realize that no one ever knows how much time they actually have. How we spend our time will always be condemned by other people. Without understanding their motives, insight or morals, to criticize someone’s use of their own time is, in itself, a waste of time. The passive will always criticize the active for not making time for the little things and the active will always criticize the passive for not getting enough done. If you think about this criticism offered to you (whether you are predominately passive or active), you will naturally begin to question your priorities.

Today I watched a woman, who appeared to be no younger than two hundred years old, hunched over with her light knit cardigan in her hands navigating a stubborn bird off the street. After I was done writing her into a conceptual comedic movie plot I realized she probably thought it would get run over on this quiet dead end street; I was more concerned they would both get run over. One flick of the sweater and one hop at a time they made it to the curb. This woman, who realistically doesn’t have much time left alive, spent a painful amount of it relocating this bird. Many would judge that the woman wasted her fifteen minutes thinking the bird would have flown away eventually. Some would say the woman’s effort in such an inconsequential situation suggests a compassionate personality.

Everyday we sacrifice our time for all types of responsibility. To one person going to school might be most important, to another, rescuing a mulish bird. I cannot stress the importance of doing what you love and believe to be right in all aspects of living. The little things we do in our lifetime add up but are often overpowered by our greater accomplishments. Over prioritizing can allow these small acts of beautiful spontaneity to be missed; not prioritizing at all can lead to chaos.

Find a comfortable middle ground of passive productivity where the tiniest acts of love and largest aspirations can both occur. Remember that time is more precious than money so spend it more carefully. We never know how much time we have and there is a very limited amount. Work hard, but don’t forget to stop and save the birds.