I switched to gin this summer, and with its help, I figured out that my ideas of wealth are all wrong. Partially wrong, anyway. There is no formula for building wealth, and there is no forthcoming tell-all. It’s this simple: time is the chief currency of our lives.

Naturally we won’t admit this when we are young. We’re lucky if we ever learn this at all, but at some point, it becomes crystal clear that we need time more than anything. Anyone who doesn’t have it knows its importance. Sometimes when you try to acquire it, too much of it is gone. So, then…

What does it look like to buy time?

Artists have the best understanding of the value of time. People who place little value on art do not understand why artists have this understanding, but that, too, is simple. Artists spend time more than anybody else. Sometimes they spend it poorly (based on your highly subjective opinion of what they create), but just the simple abundance of opportunity afforded by their lifestyle choices consistently exposes them to a greater experience level of time.

The first point of argument could most likely be “Hey, I’m not an artist, and I know the value of time.” That’s fine. Maybe your idea of what constitutes “art” is a little too limited.

Athletes are artists. No paint necessary. Writers are artists. Smooth talkers are artists. Here is where I will lose a lot of you, but just think about it for a minute: art is so subjective, you could easily defend your idea of it just by saying it is anything that brings joy. The trick, then, would be to find and revel in what brings you joy.

I consider all kinds of things to be art. So, here is how I think we can buy time, in a manner of speaking. We should create things. We should check out what others are creating, and we should share those things. Especially if they bring us joy.

I am lucky in that I know a giant range of people who create things. I am obsessed with the power of words, but I am so visually driven, it’s a wonder I didn’t spend more time developing my drawing skills. After a certain year, I spent my time elsewhere, though. We’ll see if it pays off later.

In the same way that we share the songs, the shows, and the movies we like, I think we should share the work of the creators in our lives–not just to bring awareness to their efforts, but also for the opportunity to let their creations work to encourage more creation.

I want to start with my sister and her husband, not just because they are family, but because I really have always loved what they do. Note: This is just the first post of many. If you’re making something, we’ll be chatting soon.

My sister Amanda is a photographer (among other things). She is a nurse and a mother of four boys, and she somehow finds time to do this: https://www.facebook.com/pg/AmandaFlynnPhotography/posts/ or https://instagram.com/amandaflynnphoto?igshid=8iqs2xivrbyd

Her husband David’s work can be seen here (until if/when we collaborate on a future project): https://pittsburghillustrators.org/accounts/view/davidMflynn

When you buy some time, please contact me with what you are making and where we can find it. Let’s keep this going.