(photo not mine – stock)
Our lives are finite.
We all know that. We have so many years, days and minutes.
I know people that are OK with that – me, not so much. I have a Great Fear, and always have.
I fear dying without accomplishing or experiencing the things I want to do. Granted, my goals are pretty huge. I want to visit all the countries in the world and try everything available. Yes, I know, impossible… but I will continue to strive to hold it all in my hands.
That said, why not go for it?
I’ll tell you why. I am not here to squash the dreams of people like me who want to do everything. BUT – the pressure is horrible. I am still feeling that if I don’t do it all, I lose.
I’m not sure how to get past that. The only way to accomplish most of the deeds on my list would be to win a lottery and spend the rest of my life travelling, giving and learning – at top speed! Obviously, that is not a valid life plan.
So, where do I go from here??
I think the best way to solve this dilemma is to break it down into smaller bites. We have 24 hours in a day – if we are lucky we can have great rejuvenating sleep for 8 of those hours. The other 16 give us an opportunity to make the most of our lives.
The following is an obviously simplistic overview meant to provide a starting point only – note that I am speaking as someone without children and did not include exercise, commuting, etc. Adjust as needed. I mean only to put forward food for thought on the passing time in our lives and the value of it.
Let’s break it down with averages on our workdays – generalized, obviously. (Day’s off? You’ll have to extrapolate and calculate your own Joy.)
5 work days:
8 hours sleep
8 hours work
8 left:
- grooming, etc. – 1
- eating/food prep – 1
- shop for food/cook – 1
- chores – 1
4 left
Best case scenario, 4 hours.
We all need an hour somewhere to just sit down and go ‘holy crap’ – and book in another to wind down at the end of the evening so you can sleep.
2 hours.
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So sad that in today’s world we are down to that.
That said, 2 hours is a lot of time. If we are conscious of time management, it can be worthwhile and rejuvenate us every day.
I am currently using part of that time to write this blog.
I have in the past taken free online courses that interest me, read, researched future travel destinations (one of my favorite pastimes), randomly viewed Utube things, shopped, gardened, searched out interesting topics, spent time with friends and family, crossworded (?), etc.
Either way, life, broken down, comes down to a precious few hours where you can choose where your mind goes – what and who you want to spend your time on, what you want to do with your life.
I remind myself of this each day and also reflect on what I am Thankful for in my life. It abates the Fear but does not squelch the Drive!
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Whatever way this breaks down for you in your life, Take It.
Jealously guard it.
You need it every day.