They say time is like water; ever-flowing and ever-changing. The smallest stone could either skim the surface with very little disturbance or create a large ripple that reaches from bank to bank and beyond, depending on how it is thrown. Equally, what you do, however insignificant it seems at the time, can either pass through without incident, skimming the surface and just affecting that moment in time, or have a massive impact on future events. Time is also a strong and fragile thing, again, just like water... while its surface can be broken easily, sometimes the flow of time can carry things away, and yet at other times, it is protected from major changes, like ice on the surface of a lake.
Yet even so, under certain circumstances, the ice can break, causing a hole that takes a long time to repair. Sometimes, it doesn't always affect things or it can be dealt with, yet other times it can bring great tragedy, though this isn't always immediately apparant. Some say time is the fire in which we burn; others consider it a companion that reminds them to cherish those special moments, as they may not happen again.
Indeed, some people consider time a precious commodity, more valuable than a thousand bars of gold-pressed latinum. Others just waste it, then look back and wished they spent that time more wisely. Others again wish they had the understanding to appriciate a special moment and regret that they weren't able to do so at the time, due to whatever circumstances.
Not many people truly understand the nature of time; the way it flows and ebbs, as well as how powerful it truly is and can be... that takes something special. Every once in a while, that special something is bestowed upon one, if not many individuals. For some, the experience bestows clarity in an instant. For others, it takes that little bit longer. But no matter how long it takes, after this moment of clarity, you may never look at things the same way ever again...
Author's Comment: This is the introduction piece to the prelude of my Star Trek fan fiction/RPG called Star Trek: Timelines. Currently, the RP is inactive, but I couldn't help but post this up anyway, because it's something that everyone seems to like. I was reminded of it from my recent visit to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, which is the home of time. Anyway, this is something that I've written off the top of my head, more or less. I hope that you appriciate it as much as everyone else has done...
The reason why it's written in italics because it is a narrative to a degree... imagine someone saying it while a scene, or variety of scenes play out.