Copyright © 2022 Lee Spirit
I’m writing about the topic of time today because these past couple of weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind of activity! Home repairs, installations, car maintenance, and taxes. The energy has felt a bit frenetic as well with friends, family, and colleagues having health issues. A couple of relatives passed away. Finally, just as everyone was looking forward to a return to “normal” after Covid, we have a war to deal with. Our minds can feel pretty scattered when there’s a lot going on. So let’s discuss the essence of time, and how to manage our time wisely so things still get done.
I chose this photo from Jasper, Alberta, Canada because it has a very calming effect on my frazzled couple of weeks here. I’ve been trying to get many things done all at once, so that I have more time for the things I love when they are accomplished! Sometimes you just have to buckle down, and take the time to get all the things done! Then there is more time for beautiful places like Jasper!
Essence of Time: We Think We Have Lots Of It
As Buddha said, “The trouble is, you think you have time”. When we think we have time, we put things off, and procrastinate. How many times have you said, “There’s tons of time! I have all week to get it done!” and then nothing gets done?
Buddha’s not just talking about getting tasks done though. When we think we have time, boy are we ever wrong! Life is shorter than we think! Before we know it, we are old, and our bodies run down. We may never have accomplished what we thought we would. No one is promised tomorrow, so it’s a call to live each day as if it were your last. Use your precious gift of time (and energy) wisely! This often requires a willingness to change the things that don’t serve you, or aren’t working for you.
Recognizing That Time Is Of the Essence
Realizing that time is of the essence, or how precious and limited it is, allows us to build a greater depth of gratitude for our time and lives. With more gratitude comes a greater sense of appreciation for the present moment. We are better able to determine what has meaning in our lives, what we value, and what we may want to do going forward.
In my kundalini yoga classes, they often mention the importance of meditating on the impermanence of everything. Realize that your body deteriorates, and will not last forever. It is subject to illness, and will one day die. When we focus on this, then what is important to us comes to the surface for us to respond to.
Jai Dev always asks in class, “What is left when we die?” and normally what comes up is “love”, and “the light of our souls”, which are all connected with each other, with nature, and the universe, even after death. This may help shift your focus to what gives your life meaning and purpose in the now. Maybe that means telling someone important to you that you love them. It may spark your interest in finding new meaningful connections, or starting a creative project. Make the most of each moment.
Click Here For More on Joyful Living and Making Each Moment Pleasurable.
Managing Your Time & Mind Wisely
What I’m really talking about when I say, “time management” is how to manage your mind and energy. Really, when our minds are frazzled, it’s not ideal for completing projects and tasks in a timely manner. There are certain things we can train our minds to do, or not do, in order to get things done, and use our time more wisely.
Focus On One Thing At A Time
If we’ve got too many things on our plate, the chances of getting things done and clearing our minds is pretty slim. You may think you’ll be more productive if you try to do many things at once, shifting from task to task. However, this may hinder your progress. The fastest way to productivity is to get one thing done at a time. Give it your full attention and be in the moment you are in. Once it’s complete, you cross it off your list, and move onto the next one that you will give your full attention to.
This weekend I’ve been trying to do dishes, laundry, garbage, taxes, car maintenance, have an installer come in, write a blog post, go for a ski, have a family birthday, and pay attention to friends! Oh my! How many times do you find your laundry only half done? Your dishes are still in the sink! You can’t focus on important things? There’s no time for self-care? Then you just plop onto the couch, eat snacks, and give up! All these tasks can get done, you just need to focus on one thing at a time. Getter done!
Remember To Breathe
When there’s a lot to get done, you will have much more success when you allow yourself time to breathe, to relax, and just be. Even if this means taking a few moments to look away from the computer screen and gaze at the trees outside the window. It makes a great mid-day break to take a short walk. Just 20-30 minutes to stretch your legs will do wonders! Breathe in that fresh air! It clears the mind and gets the blood flowing to your brain for better concentration and focus.
Ask Yourself What You Can Let Go Of
Oftentimes, we get into habitual patterns and routines that make it difficult to see things any differently than what we’re currently doing. So it’s good to take a look at everything you do that might be slowing you down. This may be addictive tendencies like checking your phone or social media (guilty!), or over-snacking (also guilty!). You don’t have to stop these things entirely, unless you want to, but just be aware of how much time and energy this might be sucking, and cut back a little on your habits. Noticing them is the first step, and then gradually decrease them. This will allow more time for what’s important.
Ask Yourself What You Want To Do More Of
The things you want to do more of are the things that matter. So once you’ve either let go of, or cut back on your habitual patterns and tendencies, focus on what’s important to you in achieving your goals and dreams. Do more of that, and less of what is preventing you from getting things done. This means letting go of distractions, addictive behaviours, and things that make you procrastinate.
Baby Steps To Getting Things Done
Taking baby steps will help you get things done more efficiently when considering the essence of time. This means breaking things up into baby steps. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by a big job that has many different parts to it, separate it out into manageable chunks. Once you’ve completed one baby step, cross it off the list, and move onto the next. Getting a small step accomplished is much easier than tackling a giant project and trying to do multiple parts of it at once. Part of breaking things up into baby steps is taking the time to get organized, and planning a few things out.
You’re All Set To Manage Your Time and Mind
These are just a few tips to get you started on realizing the essence of time, and focusing on the important things in life. The more you get accomplished, the more time you will have to take care of yourself. Remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish. It means spending time in nature as much as possible, and doing – and being – the things that make your heart sing. These are the things that matter, and give your life purpose and meaning.
When we take care of ourselves, our minds, our time, and our energy, we can better serve others by being a radiant, calm source of love and light. Others will feel our increased sense of spaciousness, and they will seek ways to do the same!
Lee Spirit is an avid outdoors adventurer with a love for nature, photography, health & fitness, wellness, and spirituality. She helps those who suffer from anxiety & negative thinking to become healthier in mind-body-spirit. Her own personal journey has led her to the study and practice of mindfulness, health, wellness, yoga, spirituality, sound healing, meditation, and personal development for over 20 years. Get mindfulness, meditation, and personal development tips in her Free Natural Mind Healing Report.