Every individual makes a difference. We cannot live through a single day without making an impact on the world around us. And we all have free choice--what sort of difference do we want to make? Do we want to make the world around us a better place? Or not?
~Jane Goodall~
A dear friend of min was completely infatuated with a man. It was all that she could think and talk about. Yet, every time that she asked him out for coffee or lunch or dinner, it was the same reply. He told her that he would love to go out with her, however, his schedule of work, school and other commitments was just too hectic and it wasn't possible.
In her frustration, she came to me and asked me for advice. She wanted to know how she could creatively help him with some of his responsibilities and free up some commitments so that they could spend time together. When she made this suggestion to me, I sighed deeply and bit my lip. I was searching for a tactful way to break the news to her, yet, she had to understand the real truth... and sometimes that hurts.
'Darlin', when he tells you that he doesn't have time. He has time – what he means is that he doesn't have time for YOU. I suggest that you dress in black for a week and pretend like he is dead, because it isn't going to happen.'
My words seemed to have been a kick to straight to the stomach that sucked all the life out of her.. After a few seconds of silence, she raised her head as she came up for air. "Thanks, Bonnie – I needed to hear that", was her submissive and beaten reply to me. After our conversation, she left and I do believe that although she didn't dress in black for a whole week – she did take my advice and move on. I am sure that both she and the man in question are grateful for that. I saw her a few weeks ago and she was smiling and meeting new people...
You see, I have never seen a woman or a man who is head over heels in interest for someone yet, just can't find time to be with that person. If the interest is there – the time will be there.
In life, you often hear the excuse. "I wish I could – spend more time with my family, start my own business, chase a goal, travel, or volunteer… but, I just don't have the time." The reality as I have learned, un learned, and am relearning is You have the time… you are simply spending it somewhere else. You are a human and will make time for what you see as a priority. The question is – are you prioritizing the correct things. What really means the most to you?
The fact of the matter is we all have the exact same amount of time in a day that Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Copernicus and da Vinci had. We all have the exact same amount of time in a day that Michael Dell, Bill Gates and Donald Trump have. The question is not – Do you have the time? The question is – How are you spending the time that you do have?
For me, it helped by beginning to keep a journal and log the time you spend everyday. I do this still but i would recommend that you do this for at least two weeks. Track the time you spend getting ready for work, in your automobile, at the office, eating out, reading, in entertainment, watching television, surfing the internet or simply doing nothing. You may be surprised at the amount of time that you spend on unproductive or unimportant matters. It is very often shocking at the time each day that we squander and will never get back. Or spent foolishly instead of investing it wisely in those things which are truly most important to us.
In this day and age of fast paced technology, shift work, etc., life can often become so overwhelming that as we get caught up in the rat race – we are not aware of how we are spending our time. It may be time for a time inventory of your life. First begin by journaling what is most important to you in your life. Then track how your time for two weeks. It could be very eye opening.
Remember you have the same amount of time in a day that Einstein, Henry Ford and da Vinci had. The question is – are you using your time as effectively as they did. Therefore, you have no cause to complain for your lack of time, only your management of that time. Time plays no favorites – it will either be its slave or it will be yours. You make time every day for what you value. What do you value?
Given my recent bouts with cancer, and the loss of so many, I truly know what I value and I intend to make time in whatever time I may have left
blessed be
