Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Wednesday Gratitude #28: Time at Heart and Home

Hi All!
TIME for Wednesday Gratitude
Link up if you've got something to be grateful for!





“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?"
-William A. Ward




I have a funny relationship with time, and
I've been watching the clock a lot lately.

I'm very grateful for the abundance of time I have to take care of things.
But, with hours stretching out in front of me every day,
 it seems I take more and more time getting started on the things that are "important".

It makes me feel guilty,
and then, it feels like I'm playing catch-up with the clock.




I imagine time takes on a completely different meaning
when you've been faced with life-altering challenges,
like illness or loss, or some sort of natural disaster.

I imagine you would never take time for granted
having beaten cancer,
or survived a flood or hurricane that took everything away from you.

That time would have stood still while you were in the midst of the storm,
and flown by much too quickly while you were battling a disease.
Counting the days knowing you could never get them back.

I'm grateful I've never really had to experience anything like that,
and that I don't know what time feels like in those circumstances.
I'm truly grateful.

Although I've lent my support for most beloved ones who've been there, done that.
And those times were precious to me, though slow, and hard, and long.

I wouldn't trade those days for any others.
Because they showed me what I was made of,
and showed me what it takes to really fight the big fight,
and that time keeps rolling along, day after day. 






Spending days like that helped me realize how precious time is,
and how much I regret wasting it.

AND, being late, and making others wait, is a form of wasting time,
in my opinion.

I often find myself scrambling around at the last minute,
taking care of that "one last thing" to do before I head out the door

Do you do that too?
Why do I think that right before I need to leave
is the perfect time to add the last load of laundry to the wash?

Why do I always see the little out-of-place-items that need putting back in their places,
right when I'm running out the door?

Or notice some inane task that could have been done any time,
and feel the need to complete it just before I head out?

I do that more often than I'd like to admit.
And then, I'm usually just a bit late getting to where I was heading.
Sorry about that.


Is it just me, or is this some sort of "last-minute mania" that only affects people who have a guilty conscience about how they spend their time?

I don't know.


Here's the guilt:
There are so many things I should be doing with my time.
I have a list a mile long.
I just haven't been all that inspired to get started on those things.
I've been thinking, maybe I need a new list!

My new list could contain only things that I really love to do.




What would be on your list,
if you had all the time in the world?
What are the things you would want to do, if there were no restrictions?
I would really like to know!






I think that's the trick to making peace with how we spend our time.
Less guilt, more accomplishments.
Spend it in the pursuit of happiness.
Spend it being happy.
And then, PAY ATTENTION.

Because:
I've heard time flies when you're having fun.

Until next time,
xo
Heidi


                        
I'm linking to:

11 comments:

Sonia said...

Love your pictures of your big London clock and the smaller one too. My grandma had an anniversary clock that had the dome...so pretty! Thanks for always sharing such positive thoughts!

Miss Bloomers

Gypsy Heart said...

Beautiful photos, as usual! It's ok to leave the house without it being totally perfect you know. :)

xoxo
Pat

Jemsmom said...

I would spend more time with Jemma and Tom. I catch myself checking blogs while she is playing and I feel bad. That is my time with her that is gone that I will never get back. She starts preschool every day next week and I feel like summer wasn't enough time! I need more! She is growing up and me and I want to TURN BACK time!!!

Such a thoughtful post!

Allison said...

This is a beautiful post, Heidi. I would spend more time with family and friends. I actually have made a real effort to do this and if the house isn't perfectly clean, that's OK or if I still need to finish a project..that's OK to leave it. I lost my Mom not long ago to cancer and it put life into perspective very fast. Time is precious. Thank you for your post. It is a good reminder to me.

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Really a beautiful post and great pictures to go along....Have a great week

Unknown said...

following from blog hop...would love to have you follow back.
http://funfritzfamily.blogspot.com/

Apron Senorita said...

Hola Amiga (Hello friend), thought I would throw in some spanish for fun. Thanks for doing the thinking for me to day. My time has been crazy the last couple of days. I'm glad you wrote about this topic because so many times I just rush through days, months, and years.

I sincerely hope that this time of your life you are exploring new things, finding new strengths, and building new memories. Life is meant to evolve and point us in diffent directions. You have a sweet spirit and I know that God has so many blesings for you. You are courageous, friendly, and genuine. Time is just time, but you are special in Christ.

Have a great week!
Yoli :)

Shawn said...

Hi I'm your new follower you from weds blog hop. You can find me at http://laughingmonkeystick.blogspot.com/
thanks
Mr Monkey

Show Me Mama said...

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Show Me Mama said...

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Heidi said...

I always think of things I should have done during the day or past week right as I'm going to bed. Then I really start to feel guilty! One of those things is just relaxing and sitting with my kids, and reading them fun books. I know it sounds so simple, but it's something I really have to physically force myself to do...because before I know it, it's the end of the day. So I'm trying to use my time more effectively that way. And I'm trying to not think about how much "time" it takes to read a book to my kids. I'm trying to just relax and enjoy those precious moments.