Time

Another old journal post to share today:

“Today I want to talk about time. Time is important for us all. It provides structure to our days and helps us in countless ways. However, many people become slaves to time. There are exceptions to this rule I know. I have family members who we always know will turn up for any event at least an hour late. We expect this. We laughingly refer to their lateness as running on ‘Joseph Time’.

This morning I thought about myself. I have a morning routine. I keep a close eye on the clock and have a ‘to do’ list to work through before I leave the house. It was (my partner’s) day off work and he wished me to spend some time with him. I explained that I had things to do and went off to do them. I then realised that my life wasn’t going to fall apart if I didn’t get one of my chores done. It would still be there for me to complete later. If I have learned one thing as I travel this journey called life, it is that the people who share our journey are more important than sticking to routines and watching time. I went back to spend time with the most important man in my life. It put me behind a bit but hey! this is life.

Cat Stevens sang a song about a father and son who never had time for each other. At the end of the song the father realises that spending time with his son was far more important than sticking to routines and watching time. By the time he made this realisation, it was too late because the son now had no time to spend with his father. It has taken me years to learn this truth.

I remember once meeting a family and spending time with them. The father lamented that his home was always messy and cluttered. In the next breath he stated that he was so proud of his wife because she was an awesome mother who dedicated her life to their children and spent every minute doing things with them. Maybe this was an example of taking time management to the other extreme. I guess a healthy balance is important.

So time is an interesting beast. We can choose to become slaves to it and lose out on some of the important things in life or we can use time to our own advantage. I think I prefer the latter option. ”

Journal entry 16th February, 2013

Having lost too many people that I love as I travel along journey called ‘life, I have learned that spending time with them is far more important than whether I get the dishes done this morning or do the ironing. I try to take the time to follow Miss-almost-twelve-going-on-twenty-five out to the trampoline or front garden so she can show me just how well she is doing with her front walk-overs or hand stands. I say ‘try’ because sometimes I don’t do it. So I guess I’m falling a little short in practicing what I preach. However I will continue to ‘preach’ it. Don’t become a slave to time and take the time to appreciate the people and the beauty around you because unfortunately, time goes on but these other things are finite.

Have a beautiful day 🙂