Studies say that people nowadays have more free time than ever before. Then why doesn’t it feel that way? These days, our free time is usually spent watching television, using computers or communicating on our phones. To really help us increase our energy levels, it is important to use our free time wisely.

Set up your goal. Think about what you want to achieve in your free time. Do you want to get fit, get creative or simply relax? Don’t worry about what you should do. Just think about what will make you feel more satisfied.

Set a date. Plan when you are going to enjoy your free time, and treat it in the same way as anything else on your calendar. If something else more important comes along you can choose whether or not to postpone it, but never cancel it!

Do what you want. Many people worry too much about their free time activities. They want to do things that will make their friends surprised, or help them get a better job. But free time isn’t about that. It is about doing an activity for fun, so don’t let outside pressures influence your choice.

________ You’ll really know you’re using your time wisely if what you’re doing helps other people. So find out what’s going on in your community and lend a hand. Visit the elderly or help out in a children’s club. If socializing is not your thing, why not volunteer for a wildlife organization?

My name is Luis. Two weeks ago on Saturday my friend Justin and I were biking along Riverside Trail. All at once Justin shouted, “There’s something sparking under those bushes!”

We started poking around. I spotted something shining and exclaimed, “Oh my gosh! It’s a wallet with jewels on it.”

After I picked it up, we saw it had imitation jewels that reflected (反射) the sunlight.

“Let’s see if there is identification,” I said. “We should try to find the owner.”

We found photos, some money, and a library card for Mary Johnson. Justin said, “We can find a phone number on the Internet.”

We headed for the computer at Justin’s house and searched for “Johnson” in a directory for our town. We found eight Mary Johnsons and two M. Johnsons!

Justin asked, “Should we throw in the towel?”

I said, “No, we shouldn’t give up. Making phone calls might not work anyway. We should look for other clues first because she may live in another town, or she may have an unlisted number.”

We looked at the photos. One was old. Another was of a boy about two years old with “William, 2019” in handwriting on the back. A third photo showed a girl about seven in front of Mount Rushmore, and “Annalee, 2019” was written on the back.

Justin guessed, “Those two must be Mary Johnson’s children.”

I said, “On Monday we can ask teachers at school if they know Annalee Johnson.”

Justin said, “That’s a long time for Mary Johnson to wait for her wallet, and maybe Annalee goes to another school in town, so let’s look for other clues.”

We went through the wallet again and found an appointment card for an eye examination. The doctor’s office was in a mall in town, and the appointment was for two o’clock on Saturday afternoon—that same day!

I said, “We have to get to the mall soon. We have no time to lose.”

Justin said, “I’ll ask my mom to drive us.”

We got to the mall at exactly three minutes before two and sat down in the waiting room. In a few minutes, a woman walked in and said, “I have a two o’clock appointment. My name is Mary Johnson.”

Justin and I introduced ourselves and showed her the wallet. Her eyes lit up. She said, “What a relief! I have been beside myself!”

Mrs. Johnson thanked us over and over. She was elated to have back her money and the photos of her children and great-grandparents.

After we explained where we found the wallet, she said, “I took the children for a bike ride this morning. Annalee rode a bike, but William was in a cart attached to my bike. He must have found the wallet in my bag and tossed it from the cart.”

She added, “You should have a reward.” and handed each of us five dollars. It was worth missing out bike ride!