The best way to stop wasting time
on people who aren’t worth it
is to stop wasting time on ALL people.
Do this, and take note of
who is still wasting time on you.
Now all you have to do is decide
whether to waste time on these people
because they’re nice or set them aside
because they’re stupid.
What kind of a person
would waste their time on you?
Is that the kind of person
you want to hang around with?
Or, you can just spend time
with everybody regardless of what
they do or don’t do for you.
Because it’s all about you giving.
Not them taking.
It’s all about you serving.
Not them deserving.
The best way to stop wasting time on people
is to stop thinking about it as a waste.
Maybe you’ll feel better
about your time on earth.
Trail Wood,
1/14
Space Monkey Reflects: Wasting Time
The notion of “wasting time” is a construct deeply tied to our perception of value and reciprocity. It arises when we measure our interactions against expectations—what we believe we should gain from others or what they should gain from us. But what if the act of spending time with someone, regardless of outcomes or judgments, is never wasted? What if it’s an act of giving, of being present, that transcends the transactional?
Redefining Wasted Time
The declaration, “You’re wasting your time with me,” reflects a common inner narrative—one rooted in self-doubt and the fear of insignificance. It presumes that time must always yield tangible results to be meaningful. But time itself is neutral; it is our perception and attachment to outcomes that define whether it feels wasted or worthwhile.
By choosing to stop “wasting time” on all people, as the reflection humorously suggests, you gain an interesting vantage point. Who continues to “waste time” on you? Who shows up without expectation, without transaction, simply because they want to? This perspective challenges you to reevaluate relationships, not in terms of who deserves your time but in terms of how you perceive connection and giving.
The Illusion of Worthiness
To categorize people as “nice” or “stupid,” as deserving or undeserving of your time, is to impose a framework of worthiness on relationships. But this framework often reflects your own insecurities more than it does any objective truth. What kind of person “wastes time” on you? Perhaps it’s not about worthiness at all but about resonance, about who aligns with the energy you offer and share.
Instead of filtering relationships through judgment, you can shift the focus inward. What do you bring to the interaction? Are you giving freely, or are you subconsciously keeping a ledger? By moving away from the transactional mindset, you liberate yourself from the burden of determining worth and open yourself to the joy of connection for its own sake.
Giving Without Expectation
The reflection beautifully reminds us: “It’s all about you giving, not them taking.” When you approach time as a gift rather than a currency, it transforms the nature of your interactions. Your time becomes an act of service, not a commodity to be measured or exchanged. This shift in perspective dissolves the fear of wasting time, replacing it with a sense of purpose and abundance.
Serving others without worrying about whether they “deserve” it aligns with a deeper truth: time spent in authentic presence is never wasted. It enriches not only the person receiving your attention but also you, the giver. In this way, time becomes less about what it yields and more about what it means.
The Endless Well of Time
The concept of wasting time presumes scarcity—that time is finite and must be spent wisely. But what if time is not a resource to be hoarded but a flow to be shared? When you stop thinking of time as a limited commodity, you stop worrying about its misuse. Instead, you focus on being fully present, allowing each moment to hold meaning regardless of external outcomes.
In the end, the best way to stop wasting time is to stop seeing time as something that can be wasted. When you shift from scarcity to abundance, from judgment to giving, you free yourself to embrace the richness of your time on earth. Every moment becomes an opportunity to serve, to connect, and to be.
Summary
The fear of wasting time arises from a transactional mindset and the illusion of scarcity. By giving time freely and without judgment, you transform it into a gift of presence, enriching both yourself and those around you. Time spent authentically is never wasted.
Glossarium
- Transactional Mindset: The belief that interactions must yield measurable value or reciprocity to be worthwhile.
- Wasting Time: A perception rooted in judgment and scarcity, suggesting time must yield specific results to be meaningful.
- Gift of Presence: The act of giving attention and time freely, without expectation of return.
- Scarcity to Abundance: The shift in mindset from viewing time as limited to seeing it as an infinite flow.
Quote
“Time isn’t wasted when it’s shared; it’s enriched by the act of giving.” — Space Monkey
The Gift of Time
What is time,
but a flow,
a current of being
that cannot be hoarded,
cannot be held?
To waste it,
they say,
is to spend it
without return.
But every moment given,
every presence shared,
is a ripple
in the infinite stream.
Stop counting,
stop measuring.
Be here.
Give freely.
Time is never lost.
We are Space Monkey.
In the thought-provoking reflection on wasting time and relationships, we are presented with a paradoxical perspective on human interactions, selflessness, and the value of time spent with others. This contemplation challenges conventional notions of social interactions and encourages us to reconsider the way we approach our connections with people.
Ceasing to Invest Time
The notion of ceasing to invest time in all people may initially seem radical, but it serves as a thought experiment to highlight the dynamics of human relationships. It suggests that by refraining from investing time in anyone, we can gain insight into who continues to invest time in us.
Assessing the Worthiness of Others
The contemplation prompts us to assess whether the people who continue to invest time in us are worthy of our attention. It raises questions about the criteria we use to determine worthiness and whether kindness or intelligence should be the determining factor.
Reevaluating Our Social Choices
The question of what kind of person would waste their time on us challenges us to reevaluate our social choices and the qualities we value in others. It invites us to reflect on the nature of the relationships we desire and the people we want to surround ourselves with.
Shifting the Focus to Giving and Serving
The contemplation emphasizes a shift in perspective from a transactional approach to relationships to one centered on giving and serving. It suggests that the value of our interactions lies in our ability to contribute rather than expecting something in return.
Redefining the Notion of Wasting Time
The conclusion encourages us to reframe our understanding of wasting time on people. It challenges us to view every interaction as an opportunity for selfless giving and serving, rather than as a waste of time.
A Journey to a Better Perspective
In this exploration, we are invited to embark on a journey of reevaluating our relationships and our approach to social interactions. It encourages us to find fulfillment in giving and serving, ultimately leading to a more positive perspective on our time on Earth.
We are Space Monkey.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi
To stop wasting time, we ponder this game,
Cease investing in all, bearing no shame,
Observe who remains, who continues to be,
In this vast experiment, we set ourselves free.
Who, among them, is worthy, we ask with a sigh,
Kindness or intelligence, which shall we apply?
Reevaluating choices, values we hold dear,
What kind of person is deserving, is clear?
Do we seek kindness or intellect’s grace?
As we contemplate worth in this social space,
Shifting perspective, from taking to giving,
Finding fulfillment in serving, in living.
A journey to a better perspective, we embark,
Reframing interactions, igniting a spark,
In selfless giving, we discover our prime,
No longer a waste, but a gift, every time.
May we feel better about our time on Earth,
In selfless interactions, finding our worth,
For it’s in serving and giving, we learn,
The true value of time, in every turn.
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