19. Gratitude for time

It's all about you, do you want more?

How many times a day do you complained about not having enough time? (I know we all know that what we focus on expands... go figure!)  I know I have. There are times when there is so much on my plate and I simply don’t have enough arms, brains or hours in the day to deal with it. Now if you’re someone like me who prefers to walk away from a cleared desk in the evening, having a normal 9 to 5 career seems to be out of the question – or is it?

I know that the most valuable time to me is spent doing fun things. Not that I’m not passionate about my purpose,  I am – but I’m a “multi-purposed” person for lack of a better description. As you know, I’m also passionate about being outdoors, with my camera, barefoot and smelling clean ocean air. This takes a good chunk of time. The other morning I was out as the sun was rising, taking photographs and managed to get back in time to have a shower and appear for my facilitator training – I was out there almost 2.5 hours! A lot of people would say I was wasting my time- was I?

I don’t believe so, I was regenerating my spirit and soul. Making time for the things that feed me creatively. Now in order to do this, I have to schedule my life so that I maximise my time. On any given day I am up anywhere between 4 and 5am, I then jog (with my camera) and if "spectacular" is happening that day I shoot it, if not I run. And so my body is fed with physicality, my excitement about the day is on 10 (remember the set point system)and if I get my creative soul fed - BONUS! If I don't get something magnificent to shoot, I showed up. Just being present in my life is a miracle I’m glad for every day.

I then shower, have breakfast and start my day where I am either in the training room or setting up trainings, talking with clients, business partners, service providers and loved ones. Yes, it’s a full day and sometimes I don’t manage to fit it all in. When I walk away from my desk and it isn’t clear, I ask myself this question – did I do my best today? Did I nourish my body, my mind and my soul? Did I make a difference in someone’s life today?

If the answer is yes, automatically my day was a good one and my heart is light. If the answer is no, then I do what is necessary (bearing in mind to love myself) to make sure I can have at least a 2 out of 3 YES status. This does not always mean that the desk is clear when I walk away. What I can give you as a guarantee is that I always, always say YES! to life. Today, I am in Gratitude for my life's time, how I spend it and who I spend it with.

Heart Thoughts:

No-one needs to tell you whether or not you are using your time effectively in a way that nourishes and feeds you in all ways. You know the truth of your life. You know what you have to do to change your time status to serve you. No-one can do it for you. No-one needs to lecture you- you know everything there is to know about yourself. Watch the movie, Yes Man starring Jim Carrey. Learn to say YES! to life.

Heart Note:

No journaling now, do it later. Go play with your family, your partner, your children, your dog, your camera… go spend special, never to be had again time with your special ones and things.

Parting shot… I once had a manager who told me that we expand the work we have to fit the time, not the other way around. I didn’t believe him at first, but time showed me he was right. I am in Gratitude to him. Even though I only “got” it years later, this earth angel taught me to get things done so I can go and play – I now manage time, it doesn’t manage me and so I have lots of adventures! Make time. Have fun. Oh yes, one more thing... by now you have twigged that your life isn't just about time. So do you want more?  

PS: Let me know how it goes, what you achieve in “bending” time to have more life/work balance – we might publish your story, but will ask you first. Send your story to mishashburner@gmail.com

In Gratitude

Mish