Do you ever find yourself looking at the clock wondering where the day went or conversely wishing the day would hurry up and pass? Me-guilty as charged! We all have 24 hours/1,440 minutes/86,400 seconds in a day, yet so often we define our moments in life hourly by what we schedule into our day.
I am fortunate enough (though some may disagree) to have a 12 hour/3 day work week. This affords me the opportunity to schedule myself chunks of time off without using up vacation hours. This is a wonderful thing when training for races/traveling to those races, etc. But why is it that those same number of seconds at work (though I love my profession) seem to hang dauntingly over my head?
As I write this, I am sitting in bed on the first day of my 15 day fall vacation. Get this-I have no real/set in stone plans. I always take time off this time of year to get “caught up” (deep house cleaning, repairs, etc), spend time with my grown kids, and recharge the batteries. I have become more of a “live in the moment” type person & have tried not to be so rigid with inflexible plans the rest of the year. In other words, opportunities in life that may not happen again, trump shampooing carpets. Therefore, I sort of “fly by the seat of my pants” the prior 11 months.
One such impromptu event came on November third. Thankfully, I was scheduled off that day and could attend. This was one of the most memorable days in my life, when a small crowd of about 800,000 gathered for a little celebration of some “Boys In Blue” aka Kansas City Royals.
I used to be the sort of person that if there was a deadline, I would have whatever it was done two weeks in advance. I find myself these days more living in the moment, knowing I will still meet those deadlines. Don’t get me wrong-I was bred to be responsible, but am trying to wrap my head around what it is about those other 86,400 seconds on any given day that make them seem to drag.
Remember as a child when the time between Halloween and Christmas seemed like an eternity? That childlike concept of time, when everything was so concrete was very frustrating! But I am an adult who has abstract thought now, so why do some days seem to frustrate me so?
I truly want to enjoy every second of my life. Unrealistic you say? Maybe, but not if one is deliberate in that endeavor. One thing I enjoy doing is making people laugh. This involves being vulnerable and willing to embarrass myself at times. One hundred years from now, what difference does it make? You’re right-none, but for those few seconds it makes a difference in someone’s life. Laughter is good medicine. I have a song for every statement/question & I will be glad to sing it for you!
Okay that isn’t singing, and it’s not the 4th of July, but this guy makes me laugh (random)! Hope it brought a smile to your face as well.
I guess it all just boils down to choices. We have control over our thought life and how we spend/react to those 86,400 seconds. I want to choose positivity every day and to find the good/enjoyment in every situation and not just “endure” it. In the meantime, I am going to sip my coffee and make some not so rigid plans for the rest of my day.
On the horizon: 10k trail race this Saturday (11/21), Turkey trot on Thanksgiving Day, Epic Ultra 100 miler 4-2-16, with a few marathons Jan, Feb, March. I plan to enjoy, not just endure my journey to 100 miles.
What is it that you find yourself just “enduring” and why do you think that is?
Life is a journey from the cradle to the grave, make it a memorable one. Stay flexible and you just might get to attend a party with 800,000 others!
Until We Meet Again,
Stephanie
Life Begins When You Let It 