This week has been entirely centered around time. It has vanished. I do not have enough. How it is so easy to squander it, and how it hurts when I realize lost opportunity...let me go back.
First, Friday I moved my youngest into her first off campus housing at college. Now, maybe for you the move to college in the first place was that jaw dropping "I can't believe how time has flown" moment, and it was for me, too; but, somehow her first real home with the responsibilities of buying her own paper towels, cleaning supplies, budgets with electricity, cable, and mundane chores changing air filters and smoke detector batteries was the heart stopping "My child is an adult," moment. Proud? Yes. A bit scared for her safety? Yes! Astounded with time's passage? Oh, Yes!
Also, this week my son lost a fourth (in less than 6 years) very good friend to an untimely death while away in college. John had seen this friend just three days earlier before heading off to Florida for a vacation with family. To get a frantic call from your child that a good friend is gone breaks your heart for them, the family, and the friends trying to make sense of the finality is a surreal situation. There is never ever enough time to say and do all you want for those you love...or is there?
How do some seem to do such a great job of making the most of their day? How do some make you feel as if you are the most special person in their life, in that moment,no matter what the situation? How do some seem to squeeze out the most from their 24 hours so effortlessly and without regret?
I read an article about the famous jewel thief Arthur Berry, who stole over $10 million from socialites, spent 25 yrs in prison, and who ,when interviewed ,said that he wanted all to understand and learn from him ..." I could have made something of my life, but I didn't. You tell them that Arthur Berry stole from Arthur Berry."
Here is what I do know and am working on actually embracing, so that I can squeeze more from my limited seconds...
*you cannot manage time on earth but can manage what you do with it
*Time is expensive. 80 percent of our days are spent on activities and people that only bring 2% of our desired results and happiness.
*Once gone, it's gone. No saving for future use!
*Time is perishable...for everybody, rich or poor. it is not how much time you have but how you use it that makes a great life
How we spend our time illustrates our priorities. We all have enough time in this world and how we spend it proves our priorities.
Looking at how you spend your time, what does it say about you? What does that time spent show you care about the most? Is it really true and are you proud of that? Not me.
Excuse me as I go spend some time with my son. Time to get more focused in the seconds I have left.
First, Friday I moved my youngest into her first off campus housing at college. Now, maybe for you the move to college in the first place was that jaw dropping "I can't believe how time has flown" moment, and it was for me, too; but, somehow her first real home with the responsibilities of buying her own paper towels, cleaning supplies, budgets with electricity, cable, and mundane chores changing air filters and smoke detector batteries was the heart stopping "My child is an adult," moment. Proud? Yes. A bit scared for her safety? Yes! Astounded with time's passage? Oh, Yes!
Also, this week my son lost a fourth (in less than 6 years) very good friend to an untimely death while away in college. John had seen this friend just three days earlier before heading off to Florida for a vacation with family. To get a frantic call from your child that a good friend is gone breaks your heart for them, the family, and the friends trying to make sense of the finality is a surreal situation. There is never ever enough time to say and do all you want for those you love...or is there?
How do some seem to do such a great job of making the most of their day? How do some make you feel as if you are the most special person in their life, in that moment,no matter what the situation? How do some seem to squeeze out the most from their 24 hours so effortlessly and without regret?
I read an article about the famous jewel thief Arthur Berry, who stole over $10 million from socialites, spent 25 yrs in prison, and who ,when interviewed ,said that he wanted all to understand and learn from him ..." I could have made something of my life, but I didn't. You tell them that Arthur Berry stole from Arthur Berry."
Here is what I do know and am working on actually embracing, so that I can squeeze more from my limited seconds...
*you cannot manage time on earth but can manage what you do with it
*Time is expensive. 80 percent of our days are spent on activities and people that only bring 2% of our desired results and happiness.
*Once gone, it's gone. No saving for future use!
*Time is perishable...for everybody, rich or poor. it is not how much time you have but how you use it that makes a great life
How we spend our time illustrates our priorities. We all have enough time in this world and how we spend it proves our priorities.
Looking at how you spend your time, what does it say about you? What does that time spent show you care about the most? Is it really true and are you proud of that? Not me.
Excuse me as I go spend some time with my son. Time to get more focused in the seconds I have left.