Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The Gift of Time

Time is the most undefinable yet paradoxical of things; the past is gone, the future is not come, and the present becomes the past even while we attempt to define it, and, like the flash of lightning, at once exists and expires.  ~Charles Caleb Colton
Sunrise at Esalen
I thought it was the rain that woke me at 4:30 this morning, then I realized, it was actually the thoughts that were pounding in my head.  Sometimes, they  move in like little pitter patters, yet this morning, they were as loud as the rumble and grumble of a thunderstorm.  

These thoughts usually have the same theme.  
They're mostly about Time. 
About not having enough of it.  

Not enough time to get everything organized, repaired, and beautified in my home.  

Not enough time to actually make those healthy recipes I've clipped and filed.  

Not enough time to do all the things (and, there are so many) I want to do with my daughter before her childhood abruptly slips away from me.  And, it really is, slipping away.

Not enough time to brush the dog's teeth, comb out her knots, take her for daily walks.  

Not enough time to show (really show) my husband how important he is to me, and how much I love him.  

Not enough time to drink 8 full glasses of water each day (and all of the other things I should be doing to take care of myself).  

Not enough time to blog every day like so many of my creative and inspiring friends do (yes, you know who you are).  

Not enough time to compose handwritten letters and mail them.  

Not enough time to really put the energy into developing my creative biz.  

Not enough time to comment on all the blogs I read and love (I hope you know how often I visit).  

Not enough time to hang out with friends (I really do miss you). 

Not enough time for me (I really miss me). 

Not enough time to just be. 

There simply is not enough time. 

So often, I hear myself say, (and I know you do, too) "If only I had more time".  More time to do all the things we so desire to do.  So, how and where do we find the time?

Today is the day. 
This is the year of "the Leap Year”.  
It only comes around once every four years, 
and today is the day to relish in the gift 
of an additional 24 hours. 

Here are the facts.  Leap Years are needed to keep our calendar in alignment with the Earth's revolutions around the sun. It takes the Earth approximately 365.242199 days – or 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds (a tropical year) – to circle once around the Sun. So if we didn't add a day on February 29 nearly every 4 years, we would lose almost six hours off our calendar every year. After only 100 years, our calendar would be off by approximately 24 days!

We have been gifted with 366 days this year.  
A whole extra day, filled with 24 hours.
And that day, is today.  
February 29.

image found here

What are you going to do to make the most of your extra day?  Are you going to make time for more self care?  Will you catch up on those things that have been calling out for your attention? Are you going to choose to “just be?”   

Whatever you choose to do today,
 I hope you enjoy every single one of your 1,440 extra minutes.

5 comments:

  1. Oh, how I love this post. I, too, find myself with "not enough time", and while today is that extra day - part of me knows it will be just another day of not getting all the things accomplished that I really want to accomplish. Ah, but that really is way to negative for me! So I will embrace these 24 hours as the gift that they are, and take some time for . . . Me. Take care, my friend!

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  2. Leanne,

    Yes, embrace these 24 hours as the gift they are and take some time for YOU!

    I love that you took the time to visit and shared your thoughts.
    XOXO

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  3. oh how I felt this deeply.
    yes, yes my relationship with time
    is a wonder.
    It seems like a wild thing
    that won't be tamed.
    Maybe that is how I should see it....it would
    help me not wrestle with it so.
    Maybe I should just be in awe and honor,
    like I feel when I see a really wild thing.
    Really love the way your post
    made me ponder:)
    thanks for all you are,
    Jen

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  4. yep. I totally agree! Love that you said not enough time for me. I miss me too. And not enough time just to simply BE. You have really caused me to ponder how time passes for me.

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  5. I can really relate to this! Beyond the "have to do daily" I have just been focusing on one thing each month.

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Feel free to share your feelings and thoughts.
I’d really love to know.