When we want to know how others value us, two measurements give us much information. There are time and money. Of the two, time is the more accurate.
I find the saying, 'You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving' to be very true. And most true when referring to time rather than money.
Since some literally cause their money to go up in smoke, I've learned that we always find money for what we value most. Similarly, we make time for those we truly value.
The older we get, the more important the information on the quality of our relationships becomes. Perhaps it evolves from the awareness we develop about the value of time, as it becomes ever more fleeting.
It is a great gift to bring into focus what is really important in life. The less time we have, in total years or in our daily schedule, the more we wish to spend it wisely.
I loved seeing the recent news clip of Warren Buffett playing his ukelele and singing. The billionaire financier, known for safeguarding old-fashioned values, such as family life, has more to mentor than just how to accumulate wealth.
I am amazed at how much people tell us about how they truly value us when we simply pay attention to what they themselves tell us. Often, it's not at all what they think they are communicating. Here's the litmus test: Think about how much voluntary time any given person chooses to spend with us. There's our answer.
I understand how busy people get and how precious time is. But, just like money, which is similarly in demand, we all have some discretion about how we spend either currency.
In this time of Valentines and loving expressions, here are some of the things I treasure the most:
Jean Loxley-Barnard and her Godson, Gabe Loxley.
My sister and brother-in-law came down for a hospital gala and stayed for our family birthday party where half a dozen family and close friends celebrate their Aquarian birthdays together. I am one of these, celebrating a mutual birthday with my Godson, Gabe Loxley, who turned 16 when I turned-one year older. We are an unlikely pair, but find we have a lot in common. No card nor gift can compare to simply spending time honoring each other.
It is a great gift to bring into focus what is really important in life. The less time we have, in total years or in our daily schedule, the more we wish to spend it wisely.
Our best friends gave us a vacation 15 years ago, and each year since, saying, "We want to give you a honeymoon. The good news is that it is in Marco Island; the bad news is that we will be there with you!" That was actually the better news as friendship is their greatest gift.
I look forward to lunch with friends such as Mark Cox and breakfast with Betsy Patterson and sitting at Nikki Young's desk sharing business and personal goals each day. Betty Gordy exudes delight at The Consignment Store greeting me like a long expected and favored guest. And Terry and I will celebrate our 15th Valentines Day Anniversary, even more thankful to be able to do so this year than last.
Mark Jones may tell me more about his grandfather, the late Monty Jones, who founded Jones Printing. The stories come from his heart and glisten in his eyes. And my own grandchildren's emails, my favorite of all, bring me joy.
I know what currency is worth more than gold. And I intend to give and receive it as wisely as I can for as long as I can.
Jean Loxley-Barnard has been a writer all her life and studied both sociology and psychology at George Washington University where she earned a B.A. Her company, The Shopper, Inc., encompasses all the Loxley-Barnard family publications - The Shopper Magazines and Doctor to Doctor Magazine. She has been in the advertising, consulting and publishing business for 39 years.