RSS24—Hour Gifts
People call me impatient. They might have a point in a certain kind of way, then again, maybe not. Patience, for a very large portion of the matter, revolves around Time. A lot of people go about their day-to-day lives believing in almost every instant being a promise. Think: How often do we speak to ourselves in the future? I’ll do this or that tomorrow. We postpone the present into a different dimension of space even when that space is not guaranteed. “Later”, when provocative thought is given, is such a contingency, contingent upon luck for the majority of its part. However, there is another factor-God.
Now, for non-believers, God is irrelevant. And the point could be made that God is nothing more than a form of luck. Either way, Time is not ours; that is more than clear. It belongs to Him, or luck, depending upon your stance. So, the days in which we do have are twenty-four hour gifts. Some have more and some have less. The determining factor in where we are placed in those categories is arbitrary. Sure, we can act in a manner, which increases our chances of placement. For example, if a person lives as a seller of drugs or murderer, his or her chances of having more gifts is substantially in jeopardy. But, as we know, there are exceptions like the teenage child caught in crossing gunfire. Given that this child lived a clean life, it’s no reason why he or she should have been given fewer gifts. Those circumstances, I guess, are just bad luck. Still, the point remains that Time is not ours. And whatever portion, no matter small or large, it should not be wasted.
Once, my time was almost taken. It wasn’t from my own doing. I live a clean life for the most part. I remember asking Him, “Please, don’t let me die. I need a little more time.” And here I am. The sight of death puts perspective on things. That night, I concluded that I could stop breathing any day. Life can really care less. For our information, Life continues to move, even when our own does not. If everyone held that view, I’m sure postponement would be subtracted to a minimum. I know this might sound morbid, cynical, or excessively negative. But think: Since I know tomorrow is not a certainty, I ought to act now. I apologize, but that leaves little room for patience. We have to choose now because now is all we have when seen from reality.
Choice, then, in the now, is a necessity. As Time passes, a simple decision becomes less of itself. Two options become three, and three become four as more and more nuances are shaded onto the original two. The whole process matures into clutter, making it more difficult to choose and even more so to allocate yourself towards the most beneficial choice. And usually, we prefer not to make a choice when it becomes such an overwhelming exercise, leaving us with a choice inside default, which is like not making a choice at all, which, in turn, is a waste of Time.
I decided that I will waste no more of Time. He approved my request. Still, I don’t know of what size He has allowed me. But, whatever size it is, I’ll smile and use it accordingly. Each passing day is a gift, and if not used in wisdom, I might as well have stopped breathing that night. So, though patience is said to be a virtue, I’ll take the name of its opposite. If virtue defines waiting…waiting…and waiting, I’d rather not have virtue at all. I refuse to have choice made for me. I refuse to waste Time. And I refuse to throw His gift back into His face.
17 Comments, Comment or Ping
Connor Pitetti
What the hell are you talking about? “He approved my request”? Do you speak with God? Are you crazy? And what’s the deal with “I don’t know of what size He has allowed me”? Is that even a sentence?
If you are going to try and communicate complicated thoughts on the nature of God, luck, time, and choice, and you are going to try and do so through writing, you need to learn how to write. One good way to learn how to write is to read, and I think you should start with “Goodnight Moon” and then maybe move on to “Hop on Pop.”
[Reply]
"A Mom" reply on May 29, 2008 2:11 pm:
Please let’s not put people down. Sometimes it hard to put on paper what you are trying to say. I’m one who can’t express good on paper but I know what I feel and I say it the best way I can. Do you think God was the best writer but he knew how he felt and he lets you know everyday in everything you do.
[Reply]
Alwayswrite reply on May 29, 2008 8:35 pm:
A Mom,
You have been an avid visitor to the sight. You know my writing, and you know my pieces are generally (I won’t say always) good. I think Conner is having his own issues and bringing them to the site. I’m not sure why, but he is. I’ll let him have it, though. Some people need it.
[Reply]
*SB* reply on May 29, 2008 2:55 pm:
what is it about this article that makes you so upset?
Is it not in his rights as an individual to have his on relationship with god? I dont recall anything he wrote being offensive- simply his opinion and experiences.
I believe by saying, “I don’t know of what size He has allowed me”- he’s saying, it is unknown for how long god has given him a second chance.
Its hard to write about or even talk about god in today’s society- don’t knock him for trying!
[Reply]
Connor Pitetti reply on May 29, 2008 3:16 pm:
i dont want to know what you ‘beleive’ he meant. i want him to write something intelligible, so that i know what he means without having to resort to a third party translator.
and nothing about the message of this post or the man’s relationship with god offends me. what offends me is that this garbled mess was published and presented to the world as quality writing. we must have standards, people, standards.
[Reply]
*SB* reply on May 29, 2008 3:52 pm:
LMAO…
well then, please post an article that is up to the “standards” you are referring to…lead by example instead of criticizing from afar…
[Reply]
Alwayswrite reply on May 29, 2008 8:31 pm:
Thank you, SB. That’s how I feel. I want Conner to submit a piece. Let’s see how it is received. And if it’s good, I’ll applaud. But, if it’s not…
[Reply]
Alwayswrite reply on May 29, 2008 8:11 pm:
Wow, Conner, what’s it that bad? Where in my logic did I go wrong? Let me know. Don’t just assert things and make criticism without any justification or direction. I’m more than willing to fix my piece if my reasoning was off.
To hate my writing as a whole by looking at one piece is a logical fallacy. How can you make any judgment about my entire writing style when you haven’t even looked at ALL of my writing? You should check out my piece called “The Standard,” especially since you are so concerned with ’standards.’ And, if you think you are a better writer, maybe you should write for Troubl. Or, maybe you should edit, since you can spot such bad writing.
Again, just check out the rest of my pieces, then tell me how you feel. If you feel the same, then you just don’t like my writing style–and that’s fine. But, don’t misconstrue your dislike for my style with me having no control of the English language. That’s just not true. I mean, I’m not the ‘perfect writer,’ but who is?
[Reply]
Alwayswrite reply on May 29, 2008 8:23 pm:
“He approved my request,” references the situation in an earlier part of the piece. Reread. No, I don’t talk to God. But, the short dialog was formatted to make a point: Time is not ours. It is given to us. Even though I don’t talk to Him, I definitely having a relationship with Him. It’s definitely something difficult to understand–religious faith is a subjective thing. You probably just don’t understand, which is fine. But, I don’t call you “crazy” for not understanding something I believe in. I just say, “He doesn’t understand.” And, in this case, I don’t even think you really tried to understand. If you reread the piece, it’s really not as bad as you say it is.
For someone who’s been to Troubl once, you sure have a lot to say. Keep coming back. Maybe, I’ll respect your opinion more. And don’t just comment on my piece. There are plenty of pieces to comment on–some better than mine. Read those. You might like them.
[Reply]
Alwayswrite reply on May 29, 2008 8:39 pm:
“I don’t know of what size He has allowed me.” That definitely is a sentence. But, I agree with you. It is a bit awkward. How about this:
“I don’t know the size of Time that He has allowed me.” Is that better? I think it’s clearer. Is that the ONLY sentence that’s gets you so infuriated with my work?
[Reply]
Alwayswrite reply on May 29, 2008 8:42 pm:
Here’s another angle: “He has allowed me Time. But, I don’t know what size it is.” Insert either/or in the piece at your leisure.
[Reply]
*SB*
Alwayswrite-
You touched on alot of important topics. I am very impatient as well and everyday i struggle with it because i take public transportation everywhere.
I do believe that god gives people chances and second chances- for instance i was accepted into my undergrad college two weeks before the school year began- i believe god gave me another chance even though I procrastinated on the college paperwork all school year and most of the summer.
I try to live my life to the fullest while making good decisions but im young and proabably a little foolish so i know i have some moments ahead of me…
[Reply]
Q.
AW:
i actually understand where Connor is coming from with his comments.. i will vouch for you and say this might be your most ADD (which i believe all writers can fall victim to, especially when you’re talking about something personal) post that i’ve seen.. i didn’t really “get it” either.. with that said, i would take the criticism in stride..
TROUBL:
i would seriously think about what Connor said as well.. while this is currently a form of a blog, some writers may be able to use this vehicle as a springboard to other opportunities.. if that is the goal for some writers, then maybe the time is now to provide some guidance.. i’m guilty of this as well, so please don’t take this as me piling on.. just a thought to consider..
[Reply]
Alwayswrite reply on May 29, 2008 8:51 pm:
Q.,
To be quite honest, you never really “get” my pieces. And I’m saying that b/c you’ve read my other pieces. And we converse intelligently about the piece. It seems to me, though, that Conner is not really engaging in a conversation. His criticism isn’t constructive. He’s pretty much stomping on my shit without offering me any improvement tools. Plus, this isn’t indicative of all my writing–especially if it’s that bad. Don’t get caught up in the hype. I’ll definitely take the criticism, but I really don’t think it’s THAT bad. Well, that’s okay. I’ll work on it.
Where exactly did I go wrong?
I agree with Conner, too. Troubl is certainly trying to get away from the “blog” title. But, it’s hard. We’re working on it. All the writers are working on it.
[Reply]
Q. reply on May 29, 2008 9:21 pm:
AW:
i feel you, and you’re right.. i never really get them, but i respect you creating your own lane.. i might never get them, and at the same time, i might get that your style is just different to me..
i can’t really say where you went wrong.. i think it was just confusing.. overall, i get that this piece is about appreciating the gift that we have, which is time, and that we usually neglect it.. or, making the most of the time we have, because we never know when we will run out of it.. at the same time, when you wove in the “gift from God” angle, it just started to seem off.. from the start, your first 3 sentences seemed deep and empty at the same time.. i’m not sure if that makes sense.. i felt forced to try to understand “for the very large portion of the matter”.. i didn’t get that at all, and was trying to figure out if what you meant was actually “for the most part”.. so that just messed up the flow for me.. then once it got to me starting to notice the capitalization of Time, Him, Choice, Patience, etc, i was really lost and trying to piece things together.. and that can be my problem.. i might just always try to over-analyze things.. always try to make sense for me, instead of accepting it as is..
i’m just starting to get that maybe your style is to be abstract with the most simplistic concepts and thoughts.. i could be wrong, though.. when i just re-read it, i just felt like if it was simplified, the points would be more understood.. i don’t mind reading deep pieces and catching things on the 3rd read, but i just don’t feel that it’s ever that deep..
again, i’m not trying to be a professor or even come off as being the best writer.. i’m far from either of those.. i’m just offering my critique as you requested..
[Reply]
Alwayswrite reply on May 30, 2008 12:28 am:
Um…okay. Yeah, I can be a little too abstract sometimes. And you got the gist of my piece. Capitalization is not to confuse, although it did, its for emphasis. Just read it like anything else.
I don’t think people understand that I study and I am trained in writing philosophy. So, that’s why my style is the way it is. I try to walk the fine line between philosophy and non-philosophy, b/c I know it can be “way out there.” But, what’s funny is if you get another person that’s into philosophy to read my shit, it will not be such a task. They would be used to it. So…maybe you just don’t like philosophy–which is fine, most people don’t.
[Reply]
Q. reply on May 30, 2008 7:30 am:
understood..
[Reply]
Reply to “24—Hour Gifts”
SEE ALSO
♦ Alwayswrite - Self
April 20, 2008
♦ Alwayswrite - Dreams
April 23, 2008
♦ Alwayswrite - Forgive Me Not
May 23, 2008
♦ Alwayswrite - Talking Love
May 5, 2008
♦ Alwayswrite - Mathematics
April 9, 2008