What Do You Spend Most of Your Time Thinking About Or Doing?
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Time, Where DOES It Go?
My idea of budgeting has most frequently been centered around money. My best budgeting technique was digging through my purse for coins on the bottom. I gave saving a new name.
Though I've frequently re-arranged my shedule while parenting my kids, other people's kids, and a few of the neighbors' that seemed to just show up at dinner time, I have now found that my recent empty nest syndrome has caused me to look at how I spend my time.
For years, I bounced when my bosses tossed me in a another direction. They snapped their fingers, I jumped. In fact, I played leap frog so often during the day I could have grown warts. I fought bitterness. Being at someone else's beck and call is stressful and over time the line of performance dims and thins.
When I became the boss, I spent even more time at my job, making sure I was doing more than my share. For What? It never made me wealthy and often left me drained and unsatisfied. Of course, I had accomplishments, built reputations, and certainly crashed into failure more than once.
I am not rich, though I think I have a richness of thought, still, that might have developed without all the life draining and health risking work loads I often put myself through.
My advice to you today as I look at my own personal 24 hours, is stop. Take time to spend time wisely. Ask yourself some serious questions, helpful questions, questions designed to rearrange your thinking:
- Where are you spending your time?
- What would you really like to be doing?
- Where would you really like to live?
- How is your relationship with your loved ones?
- Do you have time to help others in your town?
- Do you have a hobby, a passion?
- Do you spend time on your hobby or passion?
- Do you focus on your health, your weight, your appearance?
What are we doing for and to ourselves??
I have decided that other than my family and pets (which are family,too)and a few special friends, my passion is writing. I like talking on paper. And, for the first time in my life, I've put it on the front burner. It's time to do it. No more "when I have time..."
Do you say that a lot? "When I have time...I'm going to clean the garage; rearrange the deck; clean out the closet; clean out the car..." The "clean" word alone tells you a lot about your life, yes?
I've also said, so many times that I shudder, "When I have time, I'm going to write that book." and "I'm so busy being poor, I'll never be rich." Who would have thought that being "poor" would take so much out of us?
Of course, I realize that I'm not really poor. A recent special about China by Ted Koppel blew that theory out of my mind and humbled me greatly. So many of us enjoy so much, even during the hard times we are experiencing. I have food on my table, gas in the car (ok, 1/2 tank), a cool home, a nice condo, a beautiful cat, a sweet dog, a great job that keeps me in all of these things, and a husband that puts up with my writing at wierd times and hours. (Other than that, I'm a perfect companion.)
But, I have spent my time POORLY. On more occasions than I am comfortable with, I've run out of time. I repent. I'm changing my ways.
I have 24 hours of everyday. I can't wait for more time, it's never going to happen. That's it. 24 hours. Let's make every second count...with a quantity of quality.
Tick Tick Tick...I am Marisue, and I write.
Time Has Parts
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Such a great Hub! Think of all of the people who will read this and shuffle their priority deck? some ways we are wasteful when it comes to time, is hours of t.v. watching and talking on the phone to good-intentioned people who drain the life out of you with repetitive complaining. You are so right when you say, we have so much to be thankful for. We all do. Let's start acting like it.
Loved to read this hub. I have to thank you because when I saw it I immediately thought it was an anwser for one of my requests: http://hubpages.com/request/3135/best ;)
barryrutherford, thanks so much for reading -- we do get distracted, don't we? We can change it. I have realized more and more over the last several years, even last few months, that I can control MOST of my stress in life. ME! who knew?? =)
summer10 you know what I believe?? That the mere expression of gratitude changes our life and the life of others... I believe, and this may be over simplification, but I dare say that just being grateful can change the world....(that's the title of my next hub!! =0 and I thank you for inspiring it !! come back soon!
funride -- i'll go take a look at your link and I'm glad we're thinking on the same page...!! how "fun!" thanks always for reading!!! =))))
funride -- i just read that request gee this could have answered it!!! hahah glad to help!
Great insight. I have a few favorite quotations about time that remind me of the value of time.
"Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend." Theophrastus d. 278 B.C.
"Dost thy love life? Then do not squander time; for that is the stuff life is made of." Benjamin Franklin 1706 - 1790
"I would I could stand on a busy corner, hat in hand and beg people to throw me all their wasted hours." Bernard Berenson 1865 - 1959
And as to poor, I love what Seneca (c. 4 B.C. - A.D. 65) had to say about that, "It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more that is poor."
Hi John! I can't pick a favorite of those you quoted...they are all wonderful...I really like Berenson -- I'm ashamed to think of the time I've wasted...money, it's not important....but TIME!! I think we might have many regrets about that.
and poor? Seneca is right...we crave way too much. I've spent some time decorating my home this last 2 weeks, hanging up a curtain here and eliminating clutter there...all things purchased from garage sales and in great condition. and I realize as I look around...that I am fortunate and at times think I should never ask for another thing. Don't know how long I can hold to that...but Ted Koppel's China piece this weekend sure made me think just how great America truly is. Problems, yes...but what a great place we live in as we correct them.
thanks always for adding so much to anything I write...I always think "I wonder what John will say about this?" =))
Great hub. I've noticed that I waste a lot of time thinking about the things I have to do, and procrastonating on doing the things I don't really want to do--which makes me lose time on doing the things I really enjoy.
Guess I need to prioritize a little better
Hi Rachel, You know I think time management takes "time" to master. maybe a lifetime, so it's something we always have to focus on...I struggle with it daily.
Thanks so much for stopping by and come back soon!! =)
Good hu, it really puts things in perspective.
Hi Karen, time evens everything out. We all have the same amount. I like that, thanks for reading and commenting -- I like it when you visit!! =)
Good hub, M. OK, I guess I should answer your queries, eh?
*Between where I want to and where it's important.
*Sometimes something else, sometimes not.
*Any beach community - the more exotic, the better.
*Better than before.
*No. I help myself and my loved ones. Phil Knight (the Nike guy) helps my town.
*Of course, and it's been very good to me.
*Yes. Yes. Yes.
hi constant , you're a nut. but a good nut. Thanks for reading and commenting!! You passed with flying colors -- all correct answers. haahah =)))
Hi marisue,
Thank your for this hub. I've been thinking about this a lot lately too. I've notice my patience at work has not been what it has in the past. Things get to me, I don't feel good about what I do there, I just need the money. That's not a place I like to be, doing something I feel bad about. I was able to cut back in March to half time but haven't been able to find other work yet. I got to thinking, who knows if we will even be able to retire, ever? The way things are going, maybe not. So the least I can do it is try to maximize the time I spend NOW doing things that actually matter to me. Great hub. Thanks again.
Excellent advice for all of us time-challenged people. I often have this quote when people ask me what I really learned in college: I learned to better manage time. After all, when all is said and done, time is the only thing we can't get back. I struggle to use it as well as I could. Thanks for the reminder.
Last week a friend said 'time costs nothing'. Having just read this excellent Hub, I think the opposite - time is beyond price. Thanks.
Marisue, thx for this thought provoking article. I love what you say in your comment above "I dare say that just being grateful can CHANGE the world". Simple profound statement :) for I believe the intelligent person concentrates in any situation more on what to BE than what to DO.
Hi Pam, you know I must confess, I've been thinking a lot about you lately. I have been stuck in jobs I didn't like more than once, and now, I'm ## years old, and I realize that time doesn't wait. We "spend" our youth collecting wisdom...let's cash some of that in...and "spend" our time making ourselves happy. You've been so wonderfully candid with us here on the hub, and I think we all identify with the frustrations of the economy and life in general kinda sucking..
but I believe we just have to make the most of our time and smile along our journey. When I wrote the hell series of hubs and the Devils' toolbox, what my main point consisted of, tho subtle at times, was turning the fire of life into a nicely cooked meal. haha ok, I never said that part in those hubs, but as my mother struggled with the pain of out of control diabetes, and her resulting blindness she still found joy. Her goal everyday was to feel it. She craved it more than anyone I've known since. Her desperate search had an enormous impact on me then, and now it's even more profound because I've lived long enough to value her loss and gain.
Time is what we're here to learn about. Think about it, what else is there?
What do we do with this huge gift? We can't create more of it, but we can burn it. Or, we can give it to ourselves and others we care about. One year, and I will do a hub about this, but one year in particular, we had nothing but disasters. We lost our home to fire, I nearly died from hemorrhaging, we went thru more than 8 car break downs, and then took a new and disastrous job. It was hell's icy grip, the eye of hell, and the eye of fear all in one. We had to do some serious Diggin' in the Devil's Toolbox.
I learned so much but I never want to repeat the experience. I was a good student and I paid close attention so the powers in the universe would think I had had enough. =) I'm trying to pass some of that on. My advice to those who read and want to know? Live your life to the fullest.
Nothing new in those words, but they hold meaning when you've had a moment in hell.
I know you have to have a paycheck, and you're in my thoughts. We also want to change our location and go back to where we want to be for the rest of our lives. Time doesn't wait. I wish you the best and am rootin' for ya. Doors will open, tho' they might need a kick or two. =)))
Hi Rob i'M SO GLAD this piece spoke to you and others, I may do a series of these, kinda of take on "the Eye of Time: Who's Watchin' the Clock?" what do ya think?? Time is a major issue...mm? thanks for reading ALWAYS glad to see ya..=)
Hi 2Pat ( hope you don't mind the abbreviation?) thank you for enjoying this piece of "time." we all need to make the most of what we've got. come back soon!! I'm going to do a part two I think! =))
Hi Dottie!! I've had some insight lately into grattitude and it's effect on us and the power of change it generates. I feel another hub brewin' LOL thank you always for reading and commenting! you guys all make my day bright!
Very good reminders of how to focus your time.
Hi Die'Dre' thank you for reading and commenting - I'm glad you liked it, come back soon!! =)
We each have 24 hours in a day. It is ours to waste or invest. Scary how many times we waste it! Great hub.
I think one of our greatest regrets will be over time wasted, it already is for me!! thanks for reading and come back soon!!
Very thought provoking. Sometimes I get so caught up in what I think is important that I don't literally stop to smell the roses. When I get to sit down, I like to just watch my fish for a whole half-hour. They don't seem to have a care in the world.
Hi flutter, fish? nope, no cares, just eating, breathing, water (?) and pooping. We ought to cioncentrate more on that and less on other stuff. hahaha I had a fish tank in my classroom when I was teaching and it really soothed the kids!!
Thanks for reading !!! =)
I'm happy I visit your side today. I did it because I'm a foster mother too! and i know how challanging that can be. Thanks for you hub on time managment! great things to do!Blessings
Hi Hannah, I, too, am glad you visited me. I've been gone for a time, with family and a cross the US move that took my "time." That dratted word, again.
I'm excited to hear that you're a fellow foster parent...it's a nutty challenge, with more to do than "time" allows, so don't beat yourself up if you frequently feel inadequate. I always did, too, and most foster parents are left with the feeling that no matter what you do, it's never enough.
Think of Mother Teresa, there is research now that indicates she ended her live feeling miserable, and had for years before her death. She had surrounded herself with other's problems so much, that she had absorbed them. She had forgotten one of God's most valuable pieces of advice about living: (I paraphrase) ..."after thou art converted, stregthen thy brethern..."
If we want to continue to give, we must consistently re-fuel. I did so daily, taking an hour or so each evening to help my children adjust to the ever-changing world of foster care. They shared, lost, and witnessed so many things that "took" from them; and while they were enriched, they would not have been, had we not taken time to re-unite as "us."
We spent 18 years in foster care, many burn out at 18 months. We decided not to be Mother Teresa, who of course did such good, but could not get rid of nor discuss her own hidden bitterness at a God who allowed such suffering. So, my "advice" (tho you didn't ask for it so pardon my "intrusion") is:
Never forget to fill up the hearts of your own, as you all give to others so deeply and freely.
Bless you.
I hate to say it but I just wasted 1.08 seconds watching a video. I will never get that 1.08 seconds back. Thanks a lot.
barryrutherford Level 5 Commenter 3 years ago
Nice & very important to ones health well-being and overall effectiveness in life...