Finding Time

I’m sitting on the bus writing, my words barely legible from the jerky motion as the bus travels over the New York City roads.  I have an hour-long trip each way into the City (at least) and I do use this time to do many things.  I catch up with emails on my blackberry, read and even talk on the phone (which is somewhat rude when the bus is quiet and people are relaxing).  

Yet, this is a prime time to write.    I’m constantly saying I want time to write…here it is. 

We can always find time for what we want if we are willing to allow ourselves to have what we want.

Finding the time isn’t just the actual time.   It’s finding the belief that we are worth the time.   Maybe we have a hidden belief that says, “I can’t get what I want,” which has nothing to do with time.  Instead of believing we are worth the time, we complain that there is not enough time.

What do you find time for, as this is what you value? It doesn’t mean it’s necessarily what you enjoy…you just value it.  What we value is a combination of our beliefs and our choices.  We can change what we value as we progressed through life.   Yet, the funny, yet absurd activity we perform on a regular basis is to complain there is just not enough time to do what we want.

If you hear yourself complaining about time, ask yourself, “If I can do whatever I want, what would it be?”  

I carry this heavy burden that “there is too much to do and not enough time to do what I want.”  Basically if I want to write and choose to do a client’s work instead, well I‘ve chosen not to write.   Yet, I camouflage my decision with “there’s just enough time to do everything I want to do.” 

One of the beautiful aspects of getting older is that you become more aware of your stories and see the falsity behind it.     My experience has taught me that if I can’t find the time to do what I want, then I’m afraid to do it, or feel I don’t have the right to do it.   

It’s doesn’t mean that once you decide to do what you want that it’s smooth sailing all the way.  Rather, deciding to carve out time to do what you want is the beginning of the step and following through is the next step.    The follow through can be challenging as there are other demands that can distract us from using the time as planned.  

Time is our true asset.  Our choices reflect the value that we place on our time. How we share our time on this earth reflects how we live, what we give to others, the joys and laughter, sorrows that we have faced, the accomplishments that make us proud, the regrets that linger in our hearts…they are all experiences that we have lived because of choices we have made in the time of our lives.

What About You?
What do you have time for today?    What will you find time to do today that is closer to what you want?

Pat

“To fully enjoy the ‘richness’ of our lives, we need to stop long enough to visit with ourselves.”
(Pat Brill)

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Time Management from the Inside Out

Tags: life lessons, self-care, setting boundaries, values

4 Responses to “Finding Time”

1. Richie Perl Says:
   February 27th, 2010 at 12:55 pm

   Excellent, thoughtful post, Pat!

2. beth Says:
   February 27th, 2010 at 6:40 pm

   Pat - a much needd tonic, thank you. Thank you for the reminder of what we lose, or choose to not see-in our haste to attain what we don’t think we have.

   Your words: “My experience has taught me that if I can’t find the time to do what I want, then I’m afraid to do it, or feel I don’t have the right to do it.” will be my mantra today, especially the last part ‘I don’t have the right’. Thank you.

3. MikeLR Says:
   March 1st, 2010 at 8:14 pm

   I enjoyed the post. Got me thinking about me, i know I say it all the time. Thx awesome post.

4. Pat Says:
   May 8th, 2010 at 6:49 pm

   Hopefully you have found time to do what makes you smile in your heart.

   Thanks for sharing.

   Pat

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