There's Always Time

            I have a handy-man-turned-friend that I worked with to renovate my home and Gramp’s home after he passed. Today we were catching up, and I was telling him that I have been busy working and getting some extra hours, and he was saying he still does the side jobs in addition to his fulltime job. He made a comment about how he can fit it all and said, “there’s always time.” I love that thought! He also talked about how the side gigs are never consistent, which is good from his perspective, because it allows for some downtime in between jobs. The two things that struck me are the “always time” comment and the fact he looked at the inconsistency between jobs as a good thing, a much needed thing because it affords him a break, rather than look at it as a negative when things are slow.

                I decided that, rather than focus on how “I don’t have time”, I am going to make time and affirm for myself, “there’s always time.” I think this exercise can be life-altering! As a Caregiver, I felt like there was never enough time. We all get the same 24/7, but someone, my list of demands couldn’t be balanced against the 24 hours. I was always racing against the clock –and losing!

                It takes practice to be strategic about your schedule and sequencing what-happens-when. There are lots of things that have to get done –but they don’t all have to get done in one day. Further, sometimes procrastination leads to not needing to do the task at all!  (This won’t always be the case, but I have had this happen and its always a surprise on how many things that I think are necessary, that if I neglect, I learn are not needed).

Always take the time to spend with your loved one. Have meals together. Talk to one another about your day and what is going on in life. These are the building blocks of happy memories and you will never regret the time you spent together. Make it happen! Make the time!