My last thought about my theme of “Being” is when? Too often, I am told I do not have time to just “be”. You know the old song the “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin:
My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking ‘fore I knew it and as he grew
…….
I’ve long since retired and my sons moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind”
He said, “I’d love to, dad, if I could find the time”
“You see, my new job’s a hassle and the kids got the flu
But it’s sure nice talking to you, dad
In the book, The Monk Drove a Ferrari by Robin Sharma, Robin, a lawyer who has become overwhelmed by the practice of law, walks away and head to a monastery in India. The monks where he lived all had small miniature hourglass. The monks’ rational is though we have no possessions and live pure, simple lives, we respect time and note its passing. The little hourglass serves as a daily reminder our mortality and the importance of living full, productive lives while advancing our purpose. I have a larger hourglass in my meditation room/study to remind me.
Time mastery allows me more time to do the things I love to do, the things that are most meaningful to me. Time mastery leads to life mastery and I have learned to guard time well. Remember it is a non-renewable resource. Those who master their time live simple lives.
Robin explains the Ancient Rule of Twenty. Out of all the hundreds of activities you give your time to, only 20% of those yield real and lasting results. Only 20% of what you do will influence the quality of your life. These are your “high impact activities. Time nourishing your relationships with those close to you. Time spent connecting with nature and time showing gratitude for all that you are fortunate to have. Time spent renewing your mind, your body, and your spirit. These are the “high impact” activities.
I am ruthless with my time. I learned to say no. I am wary of time thieves. Saying no to those little things will give me the power to say yes to the big things. I do not pick up the phone every time it rings. I violate the rule that a text has to be responded to in 15 seconds. A smart phone is for my convenience, not the convenience of others so I use it smartly. The most meaningful things in my life should never be sacrificed to those that are the least meaningful.
Again, those who master their time live simple live and they are living full, productive lives while advancing their life’s purpose. When I follow this approach, I have time to just “be”, enjoy things that bring me great joy.
Perhaps we could redefine our idea of time
I don’t believe you can waste time
by resting
talking to a friend
walking in nature
or reading a book
you can’t waste time by connecting
letting souls talk
allowing inner children out to play
or making stories to pass down
you can’t waste time by helping
or doing anything at all that feeds your soul
and energises your weary bones
that’s exactly what time is for
in fact everything else
is just a tick on a list
just a tick
on a never-ending list.
~ ‘Wasting Time’ from ‘Wild Hope’ Healing Words to Find Light on Dark Days by Donna Ashworth
