What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

The best piece of advice I ever received came from my mother. She told me: “Never wish away time.”

As a child, those words didn’t sink in right away. I remember constantly wishing for what was ahead. I wanted to be older. I wanted it to be summertime already. I wanted Christmas to come faster. Whatever season of life I was in, I was always looking toward the next one, eager for time to pass more quickly.

But now, with a bit more perspective, I realize the wisdom in her words. Time moves on whether we wish it away or not—and once it’s gone, we can’t get it back.

When we’re young, we can’t wait to grow up. As adults, we often look forward to vacations, weekends, or milestones, always counting down the days. But in doing so, we sometimes miss the beauty of the moment we’re actually in.

Life is filled with ordinary, everyday moments that don’t seem special at the time—but they’re the very memories we look back on later with the most fondness. Family dinners, early morning coffee, even a walk with the dog at sunset—these are pieces of life worth slowing down to savor.

My mom’s advice has shaped the way I see my days. Instead of wishing for the next season, I try to be grateful for the one I’m in. The truth is, there’s something to appreciate in every stage of life. Childhood brings wonder. Young adulthood is full of possibility. Midlife offers stability and growth. Later years hold wisdom and reflection.

It’s not always easy, but choosing to be present helps us find joy where we are instead of waiting for it to arrive “someday.”

Now, whenever I catch myself saying “I can’t wait until…” I pause and remember my mom’s words. I remind myself that even the difficult days are part of a bigger story, and wishing them away means missing lessons, laughter, or quiet moments I’ll never get back.

Her advice is a reminder to live right now—to treasure today, even with its imperfections. Because time, once gone, is the one thing we can never get back.