Time Wasted

There is nothing worse than the waste of our time by others.

Sure, wasting time is never really a good thing - it's the one ultimately perishable element that can only exist.  It can't be saved, only spent.  It can't be added to or subtracted from, existing only in its final form.

Most everyone wastes time at some point in their lives - for many it's when they're young, for others it may start later in life - or  many continue.  Often times we're conscious of it and perhaps harass ourselves in a kidding sort of way about how we have chosen to use it poorly instead of wisely.

But there is nothing - or at least, very few things- as bad having our time wasted by others.

Time wasted by others take two forms:  the first one is when we are given something to do by someone else that is typically a priority for them but not for us.  This often seems like a useless exercise to us - after all, our work never really went away in the course having to do this other thing - but we are often able to get through it.

The other form is more insidious.

This form is the one where the individual consumes our time by making us spend it with them resolving their issue.

At its worst form, one is not only responsible for resolving the problem, one is responsible for being present the whole time physically. Attempts to state "I'll get to it" are blown aside;  only one's physical presence is considered to be sufficient.  And the issue never seems to be resolved:  again and again over time, we must break off from whatever we are doing to pay attention to the other problem as it is "important".

The reality is that time wasting in this matter is nothing more than an exercise of power.  It's one individual exercising the power they have over others because of their needs - and the fact that they can.  It's the chronological equivalent of tyranny, the exercise of being a time- bully:  I am more important, my needs are more important, so you must serve me.

To waste time, that most precious of commodities,  as a consequence of our failure to use it is a poor choice. 

To waste time because of the power of others is a chronological crime.