Twenty-Four Hours
By Danny Mac
Our modern lives have so much going on! Whether it’s being pressed to meet a deadline at work, spending time with our families on the weekends, volunteering at the local hospital, or having a round of golf with our friends, it seems that there just isn’t enough time available to us within any given 24-hour period. We can’t see significant divisions that clearly mark just what day it is; one seems to bleed into another. All we know is that somewhere down the line, it will be Friday again. Even then, our minds are focused on the fact that our “free time” is limited, and we have to “go back to the grind” in just a few days. We sit in regret with what we have done with our time, wondering, “Where did it all go?”
I’ll tell you where it went. A second passed…and then a minute, an hour, another hour, half a day, a full day, and then two. Regardless of what you were doing, time had passed! If you wait long enough, a week will pass, then a month, or a year even! Before you know it, even more time is gone. Tell me, did you enjoy those moments that you had spent prior to this one? Were you able to find even a modicum of time where you could enjoy life, in some capacity?
Was it spent in dread, drenched in anger, filled with hatred, dominated by fear? Was it spent doing the things you’ve always wanted to do, that challenge you to find who you really are? If you were able to set aside some time just for you to explore the true you, you may be on the path to a meaningful and joyous life. It’s important to get in touch with YOU; after all, you will be spending a lot of time with yourself, so why not get to know it at least a little better? A few minutes out of every day will help to center you, bringing you back “home.”
Remember those things you liked to do as a child? You probably did things like go to the beach, play sports, ride bikes, or go swimming. Maybe you enjoyed piano, playing games, juggling, writing poems, or camping? Everyone is creative in unique ways. What you consider fun, exciting, and challenging might not be that way for the rest of the world (see: insect collecting) but that doesn’t matter. This time is all about YOU. It’s about connecting with your inner self, seeing your capabilities, or what makes you tick. Most of all it’s about just enjoying what you’re doing in the moment, giving your life reason and purpose.
Yes, it’s very important to have connection with the outside world, but it seems these days we are connected entirely too much, via technology and social networking. We’ve forgotten what it’s like to have a respite that allows us to explore and discover things on our own, in our own way, and at our own pace. We’re too concerned about what Johnny Depp is doing on Friday night, what he wears, what he drives, etc.
Those scattered moments of free time could be spent doing more meaningful things, like introspection, or meditation. Instead of “killing time,” we could use it in ways to benefit our health, and overall well-being. A short jog around the block is great for the heart, and may even clear your mind. Many of us claim that we don’t have enough time in our day. We all get the same 24 hours…what you do with them is your choice. Choose wisely.