I have been thinking about time and the question, “What does it mean to waste time?”

I was pondering this question while looking at the flowers in my garden. They don’t do anything with time, except grow, and maybe blow in the wind from time to time. What is their purpose? Are the wasting time? They just grow, become a beautiful flower, then die. Is that a waste of time? Well, no. They are for our enjoyment. They are to add beauty and some provide pollen for the bees.

A weed was poking it’s head out between the flowers. What is it’s purpose? Is it wasting time? It grows, becomes a weed, then dies. Is that a waste of time? They are not for our enjoyment. In fact, gardeners do all they can to rid those weeds from their beautiful yards and gardens.

What about us? We people? What is considered time wasted? Watching TV? Gaming? Scrolling through Facebook or TikTok? Reading? Writing? Photography? Quilting? Baking desserts? Napping? Working? Camping? Fishing? Hunting?

Is the idea of wasting time subjective? Or are there things that are specifically under the category of wasting time?

Wikipedia says the following:

Wasting Time may refer to:

• Idleness, a lack of motion or energy
• Goofing off, engaging in an idle pastime while neglecting obligations
• Procrastination, avoidance of doing a task
• Running out the clock, in sports, stalling or playing with the purpose of allowing time to expire
• Time sink, an activity, especially one seen as wasteful, that consumes a significant amount of time

In my opinion, it depends….

Idleness could be wasting time due to lack of motion or energy. But, what if I am resting after more than an hour of mowing the lawn and bagging the grass?

Goofing off could be wasting time due if one is neglecting obligations. But, what if I am goofing off with my grandchildren whom I have not seen for several months, yet the dishes are sitting in the sink and the laundry needs folded?

You get the idea.

Doing anything that is productive, building relationships (ex from above: goofing off with grandchildren), increasing knowledge, creating, service to others, etc., is good use of time, would you agree? It is the “time sink” activities that are stealing time from doing more productive things in life.

I guess the questions I want to start asking myself when I am wondering if I am wasting time are: Does my body need the rest? How is this activity going to help my future? Am I learning anything or just being fed whatever comes down “the scroll” so-to-speak? Am I leaving behind anything meaningful for my family (my stories of my life and/or life experiences, family history, etc.)?

Do I want to be a flower or a weed? At the very least, I want to be a positive influence on those around me. How can I do that if I am wasting time?

Anyway, food for thought. 🙂