Not to be a huge downer, I generally agree with you. There is a choice to be made. It's difficult though, and for some, maybe practically impossible. The demands of life can be extreme.

For me, getting in the ocean is a pretty good way to make time stretch out. I try to do it as much as I can. Otherwise, quality time with my kids is great, though harder to fit in as they socialize more and more. There are ways to slow down time though, for sure. I like to think those things are a real gift.

Also, this is hard I think, but I read something recently in the context of mindfulness and meditation. It went something like "The next thing you'll need to do is likely something you've done countless times before. Think about it closely this time". And that's a good strategy too. We forget to pay attention, as if run by a motor. I guess that's a choice as well.