Spending quality time with my closed ones is always on my wish

Nidhhi Agerwal, with a heart both gentle and wise, once declared: “Spending quality time with my closed ones is always on my wish list.” Though the words are simple, their resonance is eternal. They remind us that amid the ceaseless noise of ambition, the pursuit of wealth, and the distractions of the world, the truest treasures lie in moments shared with those we love. For when the sands of life slip through our fingers, it is not the crowns we wore nor the riches we held that remain in memory, but the laughter, the conversations, and the warmth of those who stood close to us.

The meaning of this saying lies in the sacredness of time spent with loved ones. Quality time is more than mere hours; it is the presence of the soul, the attention of the heart, the listening that goes beyond words. To sit with one’s closed ones—family, friends, companions—is to be reminded of who we are and what truly matters. In their presence, the spirit is healed, burdens are shared, and joy multiplies. Thus, the act of spending time with them is not indulgence, but nourishment for the soul.

History bears witness to this truth. Consider Mahatma Gandhi, who, though burdened with the destiny of a nation, often spoke of the importance of fellowship and unity within the family and community. He believed that strength in great struggles begins with closeness in small circles. Likewise, Abraham Lincoln, weary from the weight of the American Civil War, found solace in returning home to spend moments with his children, playing at their side despite the storm outside his door. In those fleeting moments of quality time, he drew strength to carry the battles of the world.

Even in the ancient scriptures we find the same lesson. In the Book of Ecclesiastes, the wise teacher says: “Two are better than one… if one falls, the other will lift him up.” Here is the eternal echo of Agerwal’s words: it is in companionship, in sharing our days with closed ones, that life becomes endurable and joyful. Solitude may sharpen the mind, but togetherness strengthens the heart.

The lesson for us is to never take for granted those who sit at our side. Ambitions, goals, and duties will always expand to consume our days, but quality time with loved ones will not wait forever. Parents grow old, children grow up, friends drift apart, and opportunities for closeness vanish like mist in the morning sun. To place them always upon your “wish list,” as Agerwal says, is to recognize their eternal worth and to live without regret.

In practice, this means making intentional choices. Set aside the phone, the work, the endless distractions, and give yourself fully to those before you. Share meals with attention, not haste. Speak words of gratitude to your loved ones while they can still hear them. Create traditions, however small, that bind you together in memory. Let quality time be not an afterthought, but a sacred rhythm woven into the fabric of your days.

Therefore, children of tomorrow, remember this wisdom: life is measured not by possessions or triumphs, but by the hours spent with those you love. Do not let busyness steal these treasures. Make them your constant wish, your enduring practice. For when the end arrives, it will not be your victories on the battlefield of ambition that bring peace, but the memory of sitting in laughter with your closed ones, knowing you cherished them well.