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Time Isn't On My Side

1/29/2013

5 Comments

 
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On Saturday I attended a writers' conference with two friends. We were typical of the other participants, which included those starting hopefully down a road toward publication, scribblers who'd already made a few dollars from being published, and others looking to hone skills or get feedback from editors and agents.  What struck me was that, with the exception of a few of the presenters, most of the attendees - like us - were clearly over 40;  many were well into their retirement years. 

On Sunday I attended the funeral service of a woman who'd taught for almost 40 years in our local district. In the twelve years since Ruth had retired, she'd been actively involved in education-related sororities, choirs, church ministries, and volunteer work in the community. Her sudden death at age 74 stunned her family and friends. The church was packed; well over 400 people showed up to say their farewells and share stories of how she touched their lives.

I'm not quite sure how I'm supposed to weave these two events into my personal fabric. One event encouraged the following of dreams; the other celebrated the legacy of a life that gifted others. One causes me to wonder what I want to accomplish over the next 20 years; the other has me wondering what I've done so far that has blessed people whose paths have crossed mine. 

One common denominator seems to be using one's time well. I often do not. I can fritter away hours just thinking about what I'd like to do with a chunk of "free" time. While thinking about it I may play computer solitaire, read a magazine, take a nap... In the end I'm usually scrambling to complete the must-dos that have deadlines, and I've run out of time to do the things I would have liked to do.  

One would think after decades of repeating this pattern, I would be tired of my behavior enough to change it. Well, I am tired of it. And I do think about changing my ways. I read lots of inspirational articles about women who set goals to lose weight, run marathons, change career paths, et cetera. I mentally applaud their self-discipline and commitment, and take note of the steps they went through to change their lives. I read books on organization and efficiency; I attend motivational events (like the conference.) I analyze the habits of friends who have qualities I admire: women who don't accumulate personal clutter, who always seem to be there for others who need help or consolation, who get grading done first instead of at the last minute, who volunteer in the community, or who are persistent in keeping up their daily practices of exercise or journaling. Then I play more solitaire or take a nap.

I may just add "using time well" to my list of things I'd like to do.

5 Comments
Connie
1/29/2013 09:53:18 am

Amazing that the events in our lives cross paths and stimulate such self evaluation.

Reply
cmk link
1/29/2013 03:43:40 pm

I have found through my life that the things I have done with the most meaning have been almost accidental. For example, a friend has mentioned--on more than one occasion--about some advice I gave her or something I said that helped her in some way or another. And these are things she will never forget. I, on the other hand, rarely remember the conversation she is referencing or anything that I said to her. Unbelievable that I actually had some wisdom to share. ;)

Most of my volunteer jobs that made the most impact ALWAYS came out of left field--something that I was asked to do, rather than something I sought out. For me, anyway, it seems as if I need to just 'go with the flow' and not get in the way of what is destined to happen.

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Natine
1/30/2013 12:33:20 am

I'm always amazed when someone thinks something I said was profound, CMK. :) From reading your blog, I'm not surprised that things you say are helpful to others. Your blog was inspirational to me, as you know! (By the way, did you notice I made it through the month of January? Hahahahahaha...)

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dkzody link
1/31/2013 03:03:07 pm

I retired at a young age so that I could do things I want to do as well as help others. My mantra has become "doing good things with good people."

Reply
Natine
2/2/2013 05:32:09 am

LOVE your mantra, dkzody! I would needlepoint that into a wall-hanging - IF I did needlepoint! Hahahaha...I may adopt it for my own but I promise to give you credit for it! :)

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