Time is one of those
concepts that you, and only you, can determine in your life. How often have you
said, “I just didn't have the time,” or heard the excuses, i.e., “I would have
come by and helped you (called you, visited you, etc.) but I just didn't have
the time.” One of my personal favorites is, “I didn't get anything done this
week…I just didn't have the time.” Really? NO time? Whatsoever? My philosophy
is this, if you think you don't have the time or feel you don't have the time,
then probably you are taking on more than you need to be taking on in your
life, whether by choice or not. Let's face it…sometimes it's hard to use the
word, “NO” often enough. I'm one of those people who likes to help other people
so of course, when asked to lend a hand, time or no time, I always say, “sure.”
It took me a lot of years, but I have recently learned a polite way to say,
“I'm sorry, I have other plans that day,” or things of that nature, just so I
don't feel stressed out and over wrought. Some call it selfish, but time is
selfish and if we don't take some of it for ourselves, what is the point
really?
Stress is a word that says your perception of things in your life is pretty
much negative and that you are taking on too much. Stress does not necessarily
have to be involved in your life, in any way. Planning is everything. Sure
spontaneity is exciting and it sounds dull to plan in your life, but if we plan
the bulk of our daily lives, we free ourselves up for spontaneity.
What would be so bad about leaving the freaking cell-phone at home a couple of
days a week? Maybe going home and unplugging would ease stress as
well. Don't turn on the computer or the television. Take a hot shower or
bath, read a book instead. Our world is so “plugged in” and all of this
technology that was created to make things easier and free up time is the very
culprit of usurping our time and causing all of this stress, but that's only if
we let it. Lately, when I get home after work, I have been consciously not
turning on the television or computer. I go to my craft table and enjoy
myself, no electronics involved. I feel so relaxed after a play date in
craft-land and because I have no noise in the room, it is much like meditation
for me, oils burning and soft music playing in the background (wow, I'm an easy
date...lol). I can't believe the wonderful difference it makes.
My advice here? Take a deep, diaphragmatic breath, let it out slowly and repeat
four or five times. Then sit down and make of list of your week. What you
normally do, your process for doing it, etc., and see how many things or steps
you can eliminate. Then, reward yourself for each block of time you free up.
For example, if you free up 15 minutes on a Tuesday after work, reward yourself
with a leisurely 15-minute stroll through the neighborhood with your camera in
hand (or music, whichever you prefer), or bring back the art of letter writing.
I know a couple of my friends and I still keep that lost art alive. I love
nothing more than looking for a letter in the mail. It takes away from all of
the junk mail and bills and you get to read things about your friends' lives.
If you're creative, hey, make a card and write a letter in that as well.
Make the time to take the time.
Shortly after posting
this post I looked at the daily quote on my blog and it read as follows:
"Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man...No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings. JFK
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