3/3/2007 at 1:02 PM

When we’re young, we put so much energy towards the future, hoping to one day be able to drive, be a adult, and not have to listen to our parents. We’re so consumed with the idea that age means happiness. But ask any adult if the equation rings true, and they’ll probably laugh and call you crazy

So what is it, that no matter what we do, we still hope for the future. Of course, the goals and expectations change, but why doesn’t the process? I hope I can pay the bills this month. I hope they travel safely home. I hope there are no complications in the surgery.

I hope. I hope. I hope.

We hope our entire lives away. Every day, every hour, every minute, and every second. We watch television shows that speed up the lives of its characters - and then the show is killed off after just four seasons. Some build their lives around these schedules. They record, and fly past commercials. These people no longer pick up a novel, a newspaper, a pamphlet.

Others spend their time on the internet. I’ll get off in 15 minutes. Okay, after this conversation. Just one more song. We focus our eyes on these screens that eat at our minds and we enjoy every second of it. We can’t wait for the new laptop, or mp3 player, or video recorder.

And sure, call me a hypocrite, since I’m only typing away on my new laptop, hooked up to my wireless internet, listening to the new tracks added to my music library. Fine, that’s alright. But maybe when we’re finished, either writing, listening, reading, or conversing, we should sit outside and watch the world go by.

See the birds in the trees, the kids in the streets, and the breeze upon our necks. Okay, so it’s winter, but pretend it’s really summer for a moment. Remember when you were a child, and all you had was your bathing suit, a pale and shovel, and the beach? Remember it. Keep it. Cherish it.

Because when you’re old and gray, you’ll probably be wishing you spent more time there. With your toes in the sand, listening to the seagulls overhead. Spend your time wisely, but don’t let it waste away either.

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