Time's a'Wasting!

Someone recently asked me to do something because she didn’t have time to do one more thing.  Her calendar was full and her stress level was building.  I had the feeling she thought that since I didn’t clock in at an office every day, I had loads of time.  I said yes and did the task right away so I wouldn’t have to think about it.  It ended up taking me about an hour, and I learned a new computer skill along the way.  Time well spent.

No one has enough time.  There is no such thing as spare time.  We have to make a concerted effort to afford ourselves some leisure time.  Time is speeding up and we are racing to keep pace.  The clock is ticking!

Holy Minute Hand, Batman!  Let’s use one of our precious moments to take a deep breath.  I’m about to give you an early Christmas present:  You have enough time.  Take a look at your yesterday.  You had a list of things to do and you got some of them done.  Or you got all of them done.  Or you got none of them done.  But the time was there for your use, in any way you chose.  If you didn’t vacuum the house because your neighbor dropped by for a cup of tea, you had time for your neighbor.  If you accomplished every task on your list then dropped exhausted on the couch in the evening, there was time for that, too. 

Time may be limited, but every second is there for the taking.  And there is enough.  Take the time to help your neighbor.  Take the time for a quick nap.  Yes, there are deadlines and while you can always vacuum tomorrow, you still have to get your kids fed and to the practice field on time tonight; but don’t make Time your enemy.  Get to work on time and don’t waste time (is that even possible?) and take your time.  And breathe and smile and check off your list.  Or not.

Silly Ol' Bear

When carrying a jar of honey to give to a friend for his birthday, don’t stop and eat it along the way. 

   --Wisdom from Pooh Bear

There is an understanding of the Universe that everything we need is available to us, and that there is enough for everyone. Still, we sometimes find ourselves being a little stingy, making sure we have what we need for ourselves and our little nuclear family, and rationalizing that others can get what they need their own darn selves!  Yes, ideally everyone would be open to what is “out there” and this would be a perfect world; realistically not everyone is ready to accept that there is no need to scramble over others to get what is needed, and that by helping others we help ourselves.  Someone needs to be the good example!

There are many facets to this issue:  You need to keep your Self in good working order to be able to help others -- when the oxygen masks drop, put yours on first or you won’t be able to assist anyone else!  Some people don’t have it in them to take care of themselves, and we need to see this as an opportunity, not a drag.  Every person, whether CEO or Somalian refugee, has the same worth.

But remember that there is Enough!  Take what you need and no more, and then help others to take what they need for themselves. 

Oh, and by the way, there is a reward for this kind of giving life.  And it’s worth the trouble.

Houston, We Have a Solution

Remember in the movie Apollo 13, when Tom Hanks says, “Houston, we have a problem”?* When the astronaut declared a problem, he didn’t think that he had the solution to that problem, although I bet he was hoping he did!  But the solution was there, in the space capsule with the intrepid spacemen.  A piece of this, a part from that, and a lot of ingenuity from the support people on the ground, and Apollo 13 returned safely to Earth.

We, too, often think we have a problem.  Something is wrong and we don’t think it can be fixed, at least not by ourselves.  We don’t believe we have all the materials and tools necessary to make repairs on our lives.

You do have everything you need.  Everything you need is right before you, available for your use.  We are given what we need; our job is to recognize that, to recognize the gifts, to take them and make good use of them. Sometimes we can figure things out on our own, and other times we need help from others.  Help can be from someone on your “team”, as with the Apollo 13 mission, or it can come from strangers, or from that mysterious place deep within you – your Highest Self.  Accept what is offered and know that it is enough.

*As the movie is a dramatization of a real event, the line is actually paraphrased from the conversation between Houston and astronauts John Swigert, Jr. and James Lovell.

All is Ready

Everything you need, you already have.

Ever hear that before and say, yeah, well, I really need an iPad and I don't see it on my desk....

That's not what we're talking about, and you know it!  Everything you need, truly need, to live a life that is full and happy and kind and beneficial to all -- people, plants, planets -- is at hand.  The real question to ask is, how do I access these things, these tools for living?

A simple answer:  Open yourself to them and they will come in.

Ponder that.  We'll talk later.

Tick-Tock

Everyone agrees there is not enough time in a day to do all the things we "need" to do; but twenty-four is all we get.  Next time you are pressed for time, try to step back and assess what it is you are trying to accomplish.  It is true that some days you truly could use some extra time.  Most days, though, the time crunch is self-inflicted.

Take a look at all you plan to accomplish today.  Some responsibilities are non-negotiable so put them at the top of your list.  Next, add a few minutes of breathing space for a walk or a meditation or a yoga class.  After that, finish the rest of your agenda with a smile in your heart.  If the extras you do during the day are only making you cranky, skip them.  If you love to keep busy, then follow that instinct.

Twenty-four hours is plenty.