Time

Where does time go? Seriously, an hour is 60 minutes, no more and no less but, some days, there just isn’t enough time and I feel like I’m just sprinting through my day, only focused on moving forward. It can also be true with evenings and weekends because we pack so much into our lives – work, play, exercise, family, friends, errands, cleaning, yard work, shopping etc. Fun activities are important and we all need to have play time but, it’s still another thing to schedule, plan, accomplish and complete that puts demands on our time. I recently spent several days in the mountains with no other goal than to get from point A to point B. No phone, TV, computer, no structured schedule, no pressure making me feel like I was “running behind” and the result was remarkable – a considerable down shift in stress and angst and, a definite increase in a peaceful, easy feeling (I think that’s a song phrase I just borrowed). Honestly, it did take a day to truly unwind and then I was just in the zone. I didn’t have all those external forces trying to get my time and attention. I had forgotten how good it felt to disconnect, focus on simple pleasures, relax and just take in the surroundings and the moment(s). I pledged I would consciously try to simplify my life and make better decisions about how to spend my time, being mindful about creating a more balanced life. I really wanted to hang on to that feeling…..or, a portion of that calmness I experienced in the mountains. Well, I’m back in the real world and my goal has challenged me every day. I can’t tell you that I’ve been totally successful but now, I’m pausing to consider what is a priority for me, what can wait or in fact, not happen at all? Sometimes, I’m finding, it’s just a matter of saying “no thank you” and recognizing that some of my time challenges are self-imposed because I don’t want to miss out on something or, I think I need to be all things to all people. Isn’t that silly? None of us can do it all so, I’m really focusing on days that are a good balance of meeting commitments, looking up and appreciating the world around me, making eye contact and being connected to those I care about instead of thinking of the next thing I have to do. So far, I have been able to incorporate a little time every day that is not scheduled or planned. A little mini-vacation that may only be 10-15 minutes but will have to suffice until I get back to the mountains or, win the lottery and have total control over my time, money, family, friends and life in general. Peace be with you!