You Can't Recycle Wasted Time

Black Iris from Georgia O'Keefe's Garden
​ LUMIX G9 with LUMIX Vario 14-140mm lens - f5.6 @ 1/500 ISO 200 

It's a pretty typical Sunday morning. The house is incredibly quiet; Sheila's still asleep, and I'm sitting here trying to decide if what I want to share is relevant. The issue is how my perspective about time has changed as I've gotten older. I've run into so many situations lately that leave me shaking my head and realizing how many people simply treat "time" as if they had an endless supply.

I went looking for a great quote about wasting time and so many of the quotes referred to spending time on the wrong people. I'm not talking as much about people as wasting time on things that are meaningless in the long run.

Here are a few examples:
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• Stop getting pulled into battles in Facebook forums with people who want to argue. For instance, it doesn't matter if somebody doesn't like an image you shared. As Dean Collins used to say, "Beauty is in the eyes of the checkbook holder!"
• Stop spreading rumors. And, if you hear a rumor, take the time to contact whoever's at the heart of the story and ask them for clarification. 
• Stop being a right-fighter. This is one I know all too well and I come from a whole family of them - it's in our genes! Fortunately, Sheila's helped me a lot on this one over the years, and while I'm still work in progress, time is too valuable to spend it arguing things that don't matter. There's a great line from Dr. Phil (try not to roll your eyes - LOL) "I'd rather be happy than right!"
• If something you're working on isn't producing the way you envisioned, then stop - step back - analyze what's wrong - hit the reset button - and approach the challenge from a different angle. It really is that simple as long as you hit each step.
• Stop wasting time, by NOT asking for help. Everyone has a network - use it! Ask for help when you need it. There are so many things over the years I tried to do myself, and in the end, only wasted time on DIY projects that a friend in my network would have helped me in half the time.

And while this might sound like a contradiction - recognize there are times when you need to recharge and kick back and just relax. Too many people think taking a break from the chaos of a tough day is wasting time. 

Time you enjoy wasting isn't wasted time.
Bertrand Russell and John Lennon

That brings me right back to the beginning. Time is the one thing we will never have enough of. You don't need to be productive every minute of the day, just stop wasting time on things that don't matter. Most important of all, like drinking that bottle of wine you saved for a special occasion, savor time with special friends, working on great projects, and following your heart.

Wishing everybody an outstanding day ahead and opportunities to get the most out of time with friends and family. Take the time for those eleven-second hugs because they're therapeutic. And, during those long hugs, think about how much that person means to you and how much they've enriched your life.

Happy Sunday!