Do PEOPLE value what they are given if it’s entirely free? In my experience the answer must be a wholehearted no.

If cash has not been exchanged for goods, then it’s highly likely that it will be perceived, to have no intrinsic value.

Carrying on with this theme – is my time valuable?

I believe it to be so – not of more value than others, but of equal measure to those that work for a living, and therefore receive remuneration for life given.

If we equate life with time, we will realise the ever-decreasing hours and days of our existence on this earth.

We then give more value and credibility on how we use our minute-by-minute depleting resources.

Often, emphasis is given to those ‘work’ and earn wages, and not enough recognition or status is given to those who give of their lives freely.

Once you reprogramme how you think about time and realise it’s your life that you’re giving away, then you value it 100 per cent.

You merit those who give their time/life to listen.

Listening is not the same as hearing.

Invariably those not gifted in the art of listening and empathy, will truly believe that by hearing, but not necessarily contributing, with an opinion or entering into a conversation is ‘listening’.

It’s factually incorrect to believe they are one and the same.

‘Listening’ is when you are in the moment, and take all in when someone is relating their joy, sorrow, or just the minutiae of their day.

When people feel truly heard, they instantly feel lighter in spirit as their burdens are halved.

Never was a saying more true than “A problem shared is a problem halved”.

This past month, on occasions I have been the listener for others; and on precious private moments, others have been listeners for me.

You simply cannot put a price on time/life, as it’s not something we can purchase. No matter what your disposable income is, the most valuable commodity we own, is truly our lives.

When we give of our time/lives to others and it’s appreciated, then we all grow, and prosper.

Praise, love and affection are free.

We gain by how much we give away. In the final analysis, we will be remembered, for how much of ourselves we offered those in need.