"Time is money" speaks of the urgency of crass money-making. Better that we eschew that sort of urgency and "take our time".

For one thing, the existential value of our time varies. When all is well and there is no crises to spur us, time is plentiful and we needn't hoard it. When the house catches on fire, though, every second is terribly important. The value of time varies with age, health, and knowledge of one's ultimate doom (inevitable death).

something like that...

I get how circumstances can direct our perception of time, but I would also like to know what measures we can take to ensure that we provide as much utility as we can through the various stages of our lives.

So, my question is, "you have your one billion seconds, do you go investing where every other 'time-billionaire' does thus maintaining the overall status quo? Or do you realise the deficiency and work towards alleviating it. Which is more useful to you personally, spending the billions for personal gain? or for the sake of the greater collective even at your expense?

(I was watching Ninja Assassins and there's a quote by the master (antagonist), "your heart is weak because you betrayed your family for personal reasons" (I'm paraphrasing). Anyway, it got me thinking, isn't that something very common in our society today? - We don't take into account how much we have which is valuable to the society because we're too busy trying to get ours.)

After one billion seconds (or any other significant time frame), how much ability will you have acquired:

1. against the inertia of ignorance?
2. towards self-motivated philanthropy?
3. towards greater self-discipline (more conscious control of emotions, attitudes, thoughts)?
4. towards greater understanding and appreciation of life?, etc, etc.

We don't take into account how much we have which is valuable to the society because we're too busy trying to get ours — BrianW

That is, of course, the precise problem. And we don't sufficiently understand or maybe appreciate the contribution of the common good to our own good. Indeed, I think the common good is invisible in some very individualistic mind-sets.

1. against the inertia of ignorance?
2. towards self-motivated philanthropy?
3. towards greater self-discipline (more conscious control of emotions, attitudes, thoughts)?
4. towards greater understanding and appreciation of life?, etc, etc. — BrianW

Good list. I've engaged in life-long learning since college (50 years ago). I like to think that I've made some progress against ignorance and its inertia.

I think the common good is invisible in some very individualistic mind-sets. — Bitter Crank

Exactly. So, I'm wondering how we can make our value to the common good be part of our common knowledge and not just something to agree on, but also to aspire to and actively participate in. How can we share the idea that we don't all have to be billionaires or celebrities or popular for our roles in the society to be of significance?

I feel like part of the solution is being consciously aware of the opportunities we have. For me it's time. Since I realised what a billion seconds mean I've had a constant awareness of the 'clock' ticking somewhere at the back of my mind. I don't mean in an ocd kind of way or a biological clock, but every once in a short while I'm reminded to direct my efforts towards others. I wonder if more people can embrace such a reality.