By Keisha McDuffie/ne news editor

Although it is one of the most wasted, bought, abused, stolen and sought-after assets, when used properly and efficiently, time is one of our most precious and valuable assets.

We are not born with an allotted life; we don’t know when the last day may be. But we put off goals, family and gratifying endeavors for a more “convenient” time.

We have dedicated millions of dollars, services and devices to finding ways to assist people in managing their time.

Can anyone remember life before ATMs? How did we ever manage during normal banking hours?

Before online bill paying, how did anyone pay an electric bill on time?

The essay “Paradox of Life,” author unknown, describes our society and the contradictions we have created for ourselves. “We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom and hate too often … We’ve added years to life, but not life to years … We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted our souls…”

Letter writing has become obsolete. It takes too much time and energy. Some even consider e-mail as “snail mail.” But is it too time consuming or inconvenient to type a short hello to your grandmom?

Text messages and instant messaging are much faster and, for some, a lifeline. What is so bad about a phone call or an e-mail?

Fast food restaurants and gasoline stations have been on almost every corner for years, but apparently, it was too much to ask someone to make two stops. Now, for those in need of even more extra time, we
have the ultra convenience—McChevron.

With these conveniences, does anyone, actually save time, hitting the pump while inhaling a Big Mac? Or are we too busy making plans to fill all of the extra time we’ve made out of our combo world?

For the most part, people are in the “wonderland rabbit” mind frame: “I‘m late, I‘m late!” Whether they have an hour or 15 minutes, they feel the need to ride someone’s tail or speed while cutting in and out of traffic or be short with the gas station clerk because another customer took too long.

Slow down and take a deep breath. Our time here should not be filled with thousands of hours stuck in traffic or grouchy moods because we had to wait in line at Baskin Robbins.

If we all had a little more consideration for one another, our time here would be so much more pleasant and well spent.