yOu dO nOt hAve tiMe

You do not have time anymore.
Time has us.
The master of thieves.
...

If you want to see the ocean,
go see it.

If you want to see a live band,
go to that concert.

If there is a dream you want to chase,
go and try to manifest it.

If you want to move somewhere new
and see if you can make it,
go and give it your best.

If there is a family member
or friend
you'd like to make amends with,
try before it's too late. 

If there is someone or thing 
you need to disassociate with
and distance yourself from
to better your mental health,
walk away before your time turns to regret. 

If you want to try yoga,
go bend and flex before you are no longer able to.

If you want to dance or take dance classes,
go before your joints inform you otherwise. 

If a child asks you play pretend,
do it before your mind and memory starts fading
and you forget what it was like
once
to be that little child. 

...
You do not have time anymore.
Time has us.
And it is not slowing.
...

If there is a text you need to send,
send it.

If there is a call you need to make,
make it.

If you want to tag someone in an online post,
tag them.

If you need to tell someone you love them,
speak it. 
Soon.

If there is a class you need to take,
take it.

If there is a day you need to seize,
seize it.

If there is a prayer you need to pray,
pray it.

If there is a hug you need to give,
give it. 

If there is a smile you need to smile,
smile it.

If there is a laugh you need to laugh,
laugh it.

If there is a dish you want to try,
try it.

If there is a country you want to visit,
visit it.

If there is a vacation you need to take,
take it.

If there is a sunset you need to see,
see it. 

If there is a passion you need to deliver,
lick the envelope and go.

If there is a book you need to write,
regardless if it gets published or not,
write it.

If you need forgiveness,
ask.

If someone needs your forgiveness,
don't wait for them,
do it on your own time,
and let God handle the rest.

If you're tired of doing wrong,
do right.

If you're tired of doing right,
keep doing it,
it will hopefully pay off one day.

If you're tired of noise,
go isolate in the quiet.

If you feel like giving up,
don't,
be strong,
fight for another day,
keep the evil at bay,
push into tomorrow,
dust off today,
because we will soon be infinite, 
like the stars in the sky.

...
You do not have time.
Time has us.
So make it tremble when death passes near.
...

 All it takes is one second...
...one breath.

All it takes is for us to realize
that the second hand
is not the enemy...
...the entire clock is.

Some have too much time...
...others, too little. 

Some have just the right amount... 

Some try to buy more...
...some can't afford it.

Some have already transcended...

Others, like us,
wait in limbo,
ignoring the ticks until they start to wind down...

It ticking...
ticking...
ticking...

without us noticing...

in our moment of strife...

or anger...
or complacency...
or confusion...
or resolution...

it ticking...
ticking...
ticking...

...the beats of the clock 
replaced 
by the beeps of hospital monitors...

when all we want back is that 'taken for granted second' 
to see that beach,
or sunset,
or sunrise,
or loved one,
or favorite meal,
or television show,
or holiday,
or birthday,
or personal vice that we have acquired over the years...

...weeks and months of numerous seconds,
minutes,
and hours,
passing by unnoticed...

...until it happens...

...
You do not have time.
Time has us.
And it treats all of us the same.

Master thief.
Expert deceiver.
Often ignored commodity.
Most prized possession.
...

If there is something you want to do,
do it now,
because one day,
you will not have the time.

Love those that love you.

Love yourself more than you currently do now.

Less stress equals a better life.

Again, I repeat, less stress equals a better life,
even if that means a lower salary,
a smaller house,
a less nice car,
or having to walk away from family members or friends,
or having to move away,
or finding a different career,
or ( you fill in the blank this time ).

Learn to ignore an annoyance more than you do now.

Enjoy fresh vacuum tracks and cold sodas. 

Cherish every time your child calls you mommy or daddy. 

Put those that hurt you in the rearview mirror.

Disassociate from evil. 

Help the hurting.

Don't be a narcissist...
...or a gaslighting parent.

Gossip less and pray more.

Pray for yourself first then for others.

Take care of the caretakers. 

Smile no matter how hard life can be.

Look up at the night sky from time to time. 

Don't believe everything you see...
or read...
or hear...

When you laugh, mean it.

When you love, feel it.

Cherish the seconds...
...the good memories...
...each and every natural breath...
...and every good friend
or stranger
 you meet along the way.

...
Remember,
You do not have time.
Time has us.
...

Go see that sunrise.

Go soak in the sun.

Stand in the rain.

Run your fingers through the snow...
...or someone else's hair.

Appreciate a half full pantry or frig. 

Go on a country drive. 

Watch a movie and eat popcorn. 

Help a stranger. 

Help yourself. 

Absorb the love that was meant for you.

Avoid the arrows that others send your way out of spite.

Avoid building lies as a foundation,
especially now since the tide is finally coming in. 

Hug your family members and friends. 

Kiss your kids' forehead. 

Enjoy your parents.

Make memories that do not turn into regrets.

...
When our life flashes before our eyes,
what will we see?
...

... in that one second...
... that one breath...
...

...because that's all it takes.
...

Please...
Always remember -

- You do not have time.

- It has us.

...
( and to think, your story has long begun...)
( how long it lasts is up to you now...)
...

wait...
...
...

shh!..
...
...

can you hear it?