Linda Kulp Trout

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Time



"But there never seems to be enough time 
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them..."
           -Jim Croce
Time. There never seems to be enough of it. We all wish we had more.  Time is fleeting. Time is precious. Time passes by. We take time, and we spend time. We manage it, we save it, and sometimes, we even kill it. But, no matter what we do with it, we all get twenty-four hours each day. It sounds like a lot so why can't I find time to do the things that I want to do instead of always rushing and hurrying to get the things I should do done?  And, when I finally do get some free time, I'm too exhausted to enjoy it. Spending my days at break-neck speed has left me feeling that there has to be more to life.  I have goals and dreams. There are people and places I want to enjoy.  I need time to refresh and renew my spirit.

When we're young, it seems like there is an abundance of time.  By middle age, we realize time is limited.  Many years ago, my mother would talk about her dream of going on safari in Africa so she could see lions in the wild. She wanted to travel and see the animals she loved in their natural habitats. She talked about her dream, but she never did anything to achieve it.  There were kids to feed, diapers to change, floors to scrub. Someday, she'd have more time. Years passed, and she finally had the time, but she still didn't pursue her dream. She was often depressed and angry. She spent her middle years a hyperchondric constantly fearing she had an undiagnosed disease.  She grew old and sank into the void dementia. Time is now her enemy. She can't remember the past, doesn't connect with the present, and she has no dreams for the future. I can't help wondering how differently her life might have turned out if she'd followed her dream.  Each time I visit her, I'm reminded how quickly our lives can change.

So, I've vowed to myself to make time to work toward my dream.  Even if it's only a few minutes each day.  I don't want to look back someday and wonder what if... I've these two songs on my ipod to remind me to slow down and give myself the gift of time.

Time in a Bottle- Jim Croce


I'm in a Hurry- Alabama

10 comments:

  1. I can relate...with the mom and the crazy life we are living here in America. I love the idea of the songs to remind us. Reading the slices seems to taking me off some of those things that are so urgent.

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    1. Hi Nanc- here it is 8:30 Sunday night, and I've been doing chores all day long! You're right, it is a crazy busy life. It's just so hard to slow down, isn't it? : )

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  2. Wow. This is a great slice. A great reminder for us to slow down and enjoy the time we have. That first paragraph really grabs our attention...and I'm pretty sure most people will relate to it!

    I hope you find that this community of writers allows you that time to slow down and appreciate the little things and breathe

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    1. Thanks, Deb. I'm really enjoying being part of a writing community. I look forward to reading the slices every day!

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  3. Oh how true, how true your words are! Stick to your vow . . . I think of people in my life as well that never found the "time" and then time was up. Good luck!

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    1. Hi Lynn! I'm going to give it my best shot. Change is hard for me, but I really need to do this! : )

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  4. What a lesson of Time you've provided. We have our limits, but we must strive, as you say. Maybe the striving makes all the difference. Writing/reflecting may feed that dream also.

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    1. I agree, Tam. We have to keep trying. I believe that writing/reflecting really does make a difference. I'm just trying to figure out how it fits into my life.

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  5. Sweet idea to make changes in your life & most especially for yourself after watching your mother. I like the idea of putting those songs on your IPod to remind you!

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    1. Hi Linda- my son and his wife gave me an IPod for Christmas. It's so cool to be able to listen to my favorite songs anytime I want to.
      It can be very inspiring! : )

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