Time

Time is a pretty versatile blog subject. You can be out of it, wasting it, ignoring it, or using it. You can need it, have it, lose it, and want it. Time is one of the few things available to every person regardless of status. It is also one of the only things you can give of yours that you will never get back. This is what inspired todays blog. I’ve been taking note of my home life, friendships, and work life lately. Along with my boundaries, and my ability, or more often than not, inability to blend the two together. During this soul searching I’ve really focused on time. What I’m willing to give vs what I am in fact giving. We focus so much on results, appearances, and status, giving very little thought to the time we are putting out there. Time I have found is indeed precious, it is the most valuable gift we can give.

I love my family, they are by far, the most important thing to me. No matter what I do in this life, my husband and children will always come first. This has been real for me for as long as I have had a family. I have found though that my execution is sometimes lacking. How many times have I picked up my phone when someone is talking? How many times have I needed to answer a text during dinner, or out shopping, or even on vacation? I know I am not alone, this happens often. I like to think I am immune because I don’t have social media but I am guilty. I haven’t been very good at creating my time boundaries and sticking to them. Of all the things I can give, my time is absolutely priceless. How better to show someone you love them than by giving them something you will never get back. How fricken important are they? I mean talk about feeling the love! I know that when I can’t seem to be important enough for someone’s time, I don’t feel loved. I don’t feel important. There will always be time to check my messages, respond to emails, and catch up with news, but my family and loved ones deserve my complete attention.

I set up work hours and schedules for myself, I mean what’s the point of being your own boss if you can’t create the life you want, right? Well it isn’t worth shit if you don’t follow it. My boundaries around these things seem to be a little non existent these days. I don’t know why I have this need to answer every text or email as it comes in. Lord knows not everyone is doing the same for me. Another good point about time. It is absolutely ok to answer someone when you have the time to do so. When you can give them a bit of yourself without compromising or tainting the energy in which its given. How many times have you answered a text short and snippy, or answered a question having only half listened to it? How many times have you put aside a conversation with your kids, spouse, friends and family because of your phone or tv or a book? I know I am guilty!

I had recently been struggling with this concept, I had been noticing it done to me often. Haven’t seen someone in weeks? Well when you do they will be on their phone. Wrote a blog or put out a podcast? Well they wont have time to read or listen. Discovered a new path in your journey and are excited to talk about it? Well they have more important things to do. I was getting frustrated and hurt, until I remembered that people are mirrors! How many people have I done this to? How many times have I been lost in a book and answered the hubs or kids with a “huh?” Too many. We tend to focus on singular moments. Well, I always show up for so and so but they aren’t showing up for me. Well how many times have you not shown up for someone? The bigger picture people, we have to look at the bigger picture. The things we don’t like in others always points back to us. Every time, without fail. I guess it just depends on if we want to be big enough to own it.

My family is important, my work is important, and there is time for both. Sometimes I multitask and sometimes I have to just say no. My time is important and I wont get it back, it is up to me to spend it wisely. I have to create these boundaries and more importantly, enforce them. I want to give my time to those that deserve it, projects that deserve it, and in ways that make me feel whole and happy. I will no longer make anyone feel as if they aren’t worth my time. If I am giving it to you its because I choose to, and I give it freely without expectations. It is one of my truest ways to share my love. Whether its one minute or a lifetime, I will consciously choose where my time goes. I ask that you ask yourself the same things. Where is your time going? Knowing that you will never get it back, is it worth it to spend it where you are? Time is ours to give, make it worth it. Should you choose to give your time to me, like you are now by reading this, please know I appreciate it. I don’t take it for granted, and I gratefully share mine with you. I sincerely apologize to anyone that ever felt they weren’t worth my time when I was giving it to them, I will be better.

I hope you take control of your time, give all the love, and feel it right back!