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Time

How is it nearly the end of summer?

It seems like it was only a week ago that we were welcoming 2011 with open arms. I remember watching the ball drop as I forced my eyes open waiting for midnight to strike. We counted from 10 to one, and with the blink of an eye, it was gone.

For New Year’s Eve, I decided to go busking in downtown Victoria to spread the cheer and sing various Christmas jingles. A bow tie in my hair and flashing light-bulb earrings to boot, I stood near the corner of Government and Courtney belting out the tune What Are You Doing News Year's Eve? by Ella Fitzgerald.

As I poured my soul out to the passing strangers who would smile politely, a van pulled up and parked right next to where I was busking. Three old ladies got out of the vehicle with paper bags filled with soup and handcrafted treats and began making their way around the block to hand them out to the individuals spending New Year’s on the streets. All I could think was, “Wow. Those are good people.”

I was smiling ear to ear, and as I neared the end of the song, they came up to me and handed me a bag. “We hope you enjoy this,” they said, “and we hope you stay warm tonight.”

I’m not too sure how I could be mistaken as a homeless person with a $700 guitar in my arms, but I awkwardly thanked them and enjoyed a delicious shortbread cookie as they got in their vehicle and drove off to the next block. Regardless of how embarrassing it was for me, I am glad I got to see a great act of kindness. I didn’t end up using the clean syringe they gave me, though.

But back to time… what a funny thing time is. It can go by in a flash or inch by like a snail. Time heals, time hurts; time can bring the most unexpected surprises and can change your life in an instant. You can take chances or you can live by the book. You can use time to your advantage, or make it expendable.

In the end, time is what you make it. We might crash or tumble. We might find our wings and fly. It all depends on the choices we make; the choices time gives us. That is why it is so important for us to make the most out of our lives, because, before you know it, the glass of sand has dropped its last grain.

That’s why I have decided that I will not let another day pass without doing something that will benefit me in the long run. You know, like, work. Every day. When you are an artist, you can’t sit on your arse and watch morning turn to night. You have to get up, get out and make something happen.

Kind of like why I started writing these blogs. My head is constantly filled with words, and rather than letting time go by without a single thing written down, I have decided to write every day. Everything and anything I think goes down on paper – or, rather, an Internet webpage. And who knew people would take an interest? I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t started writing. I’d still be sitting on a couch, replaying an episode of Arrested Development, and let time go – but, not today, not tomorrow.

So, my question for you is, what can YOU start doing? Time is on your side. Now, use it.