yahoo image... had to grab a Texas looking clock...trying to lasso time
Tick, tock, tick, tock... so goes the clock. One year, I told my mother all of her clocks drove me crazy. Retirement doesn't control my parents with full schedules, while I have felt clocks invade every minute of my day with full schedules. The last thing I wanted to see was two clocks per room ticking away, reminding me of obligations.
We all go through very busy seasons of life where posted calendars keep our families going the right direction. Then before the hour hand moves, we rarely find ourselves with extra time on our hands. This fall found me with extra time for the first time in my 28 years of parenting. While this was greeted with a warm welcome, I can also say that time ticked away without my awareness.
Conviction came through this quote in my Easter season devotional:
Philip Berrigan
"Physiological studies show Americans live in the less than 40% awareness. Studies show
an enormous waste of potential lost to trivial pursuits....game playing, fantasizing, daydreaming,
television, self-pity, brooding, boredom, gluttony in food and drink.
Lost is the prospect of personal and social renewal - reading, study, meditation, prayer
teaching, service to the poor, justice and peacemaking, and non-violent resistance.
The scripture likens such crippled attentiveness to death - death before one dies.
Conviction came through this quote in my Easter season devotional:
Philip Berrigan
"Physiological studies show Americans live in the less than 40% awareness. Studies show
an enormous waste of potential lost to trivial pursuits....game playing, fantasizing, daydreaming,
television, self-pity, brooding, boredom, gluttony in food and drink.
Lost is the prospect of personal and social renewal - reading, study, meditation, prayer
teaching, service to the poor, justice and peacemaking, and non-violent resistance.
The scripture likens such crippled attentiveness to death - death before one dies.
So after my "weight reality check," I had a "time reality check". I grabbed a fun notebook to journal where my time was flying to. Observations allowed me to be more "intentional" with my day. I found grabbing my time also brought a new sense of fulfillment.
- Staying on a regular schedule going to bed and waking in the morning removed a feeling of chaos
- Rising early before everyone else allowed me to have a quiet time with the Lord
- Taking the time to exercise gave me more energy to enjoy the rest of my time (do it early)
- Finishing up the things I don't care for first allowed me to enjoy old interests
- Keeping a schedule also allowed more flexibility
- Recording my time motivated me to establish more of a route and to watch for time robbers
- Grabbing hold of my time allows me to live more "intentionally"
- Fulfillment at the end of the day was brought by spending my time wisely... also brought peaceful sleep
- A desire to be Aware and Not Die before Natural Death!...will put me in less than 40% of Americans...I think that is a good goal for life!
16 Joining in with more words:
Thanks for popping in to see me. Love new visitors. Oh how I can relate to your post today! I must share this with my ladies in my Wed. night Bible Study class. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Living intentionally is something I've been more aware of lately. I guess the older we get ...
But I love your list and it's so true. Lately, I've tried to notice the clouds, the mountains I pass every day and the lovely sunshine. It helps me to worship the God who created it all.
Love,
Debbie
I've gotta take "time inventories" frequently. It is SO easy to let bad habits slip in for me. Thanks for the reminders of the benefits of "lassoing my time"!
I needed this, my friend. Thank you!
So true but seems so difficult on most days. This is a great goal and I love all your great ideas about how to reach it.
What a great list! Time management is something I am always trying to achieve. Wonderful goals and ideas! :)
Powerful post. I think that I have learned that, maybe because my husband is so aware of time that it has caused me to pay better attention.
I like you list though, I am glad you have learned so much and pass it on, I will now be thinking of this today.
Good for you! It looks like you've been making fantastic progress -- and you're inspiring me to do the same. Although I've definitely been on a "live with intention" track this year, I've found it's very easy to get distracted and let time disappear. Thanks for steering me back in the right direction! (And a little glimpse of Texas is always welcome here!)
Janette,
This whole concept has been something I have reflected on and tried to live over the last several years. I changed careers a few years ago because while were working "like clockwork" they were not working. I've been trying intentionally to not multitask when I need to, to learn to rest. "May me lie down in green pasture." This I am still learning. Thanks for the challenge!
My husband and I were talking the other day about how quickly a day goes by. Seems we just get up and finish breakfast when it's time for lunch then errands or whatever and it's time to prepare dinner. Before you know it the day is over. Time just flies by! You are so wise to attempt to keep track of your time and you have a good list going.
Love,
Sandy
I constantly have to re-evaluate what I am doing with my time, it seems to just fly away...going to have to implement some of the ideas on your list
I have spent more time THINKING about how I spend my time in the last couple of years then all the rest of my life together I think, haha. In the past I was always soo busy. Soo knee deep in activities and schedules etc. with my family there was never time to think about any of it. Now I am busy with my mom a lot, but I have many days to spend as I chose. Can't say that I don't love it, because I do. But it is soo important to be productive. To spend my time wisely and to hear His voice on the subject. I feel like I have heard over and over recently to just love others as He does. You have put together a really good list. One thing I do know for sure...the older I get, the faster it goes! Hope you had a good day! HUGS
Wonderful list, Janette.
My older daughter often says that she gets more accomlished when she has less free time. She likes the structure of a schedule. (Which I guess makes her providentially designed for her job.)
I am very convicted lately to spend my time more intentionally. That's one reason I've been less visible in blog land.
Trying to juggle it all.
Your list gives inspiration.
What a timely message to hear my friend. I have for a long time looking at how well I use my time. Trying to figure out the best routine for what I need to get done. I am going to have to write down that quote, that was so BANG on! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. This post was a blessing and encouragement to me today.
Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary
A wonderful message, Janette. This scare with the melanoma has really awakened an appreciation of each day for me. And, you amaze me with you insight and discipline!! Thank you for your thinking and praying for me on Sunday. I was having a really rough day (there had been a nerve inadvertently caught in a ligaclip where they removed one of my lymph nodes and it was causing significant pain). I soooooo appreciate your prayers. Know you and yours remain in mine. Thank you again. blessings ~ tanna
It's amazing how much time tv can steal. Keeping a journal to monitor time is a good idea. Much like counting calories you don't know where you spend these things if you don't chart it out. (Or it is easy to ignore where time and calories are spent if it isn't charted.)
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