Life is hectic. Everyone says it – everyone experiences it. We complain, we get on with it, we moan about not having enough time, we go back to the never ending to-do list, we sigh some more … Life seems more than hectic – it becomes a never ending cycle of running after those precious minutes and taking breathers to grumble. And yet the odd thing is, that in finding those moments where you do nothing, seemingly letting that precious time trickle by, one gains more time in the long run.
A little over a year ago I finally gave in and made myself find some quiet time everyday. No matter how much was going on, I resolved to put everything aside, albeit it for just 5 minutes, and meditate or just sit. No distractions – no worries – no clock ticking its tattle tale about wasting precious minutes.
At first it was just nice to sit down and regain some composure from being hectic. Yes, *being* – before long I realised that it is not life but myself that is hectic. I am the one looking at that clock or to-do list and thus I am the one creating the pressure and hectic behaviour. Sitting down for daily meditations allows me to rediscover balance, sort through thoughts that have been nagging me for the last day perhaps even vent pent up emotions.
After a couple of months I noticed another change though: Though I was giving up time of my day I was starting to get more done. I was no longer burnt out an hour or more before my work day ended, what is more I even found myself rescheduling my work day to start earlier, adding an extra 2 or more hours per day. I was spending time “doing nothing” and in return I was both more balanced and at ease as well as earning more money.
Stepping back and looking at the change one could interpret this as a kind of bank system: you put in some time and are rewarded by some extra profit in the form of energy you can put towards your work, health and so on. Closer to it comes down to the basic principle of taking care of one’s body, mind and soul. Our life style invites us to completely forget about our core needs and just like a neglected child they will try to grab our attention: body parts get tense, emotions rebel selfimposed constraints and thoughts keep us up at night.
Has life become less hectic? There is still just as much to do and goodness knows I can still be found doing things last minute or having to fess up that I miscalculated. However, thanks to being more focussed and balanced I seem to be able to handle more strain as well as catch the tell tale signs much sooner that I might crack under some weight if I am not careful.
Overall though I could not ask for a better deal: I offer up some of these precious minutes and in return receive much more in return. And I wouldn’t be surprised if this worked for many many others out there as well.
Lovely! I agree with you, although I also see another thing: The more things I get done from ‘my list’ the more energy I have for the remaining things on it!
Time as such is a terrible thing, but like taxes, it’s unavoidable so it’s just to learn how it goes forward. Energy on the other hand is something worth working on mastering! it’s all in the head. Hehe
I would call time terrible. More over I’m grateful I get that time and the choice how to use it. Granted if you struggle against it, it seems less friendly – but as with everything if you accept natures law and use it to your advantage it can be a positive thing.
I agree though that it is worth it. And unlike taxes (or anything monetary) energy does not devaluate, so there’s no need to hord it or be selfish about it. There is enough for all and it’s a constant flow, so we needn’t scrutinise every last penny or gaze at price tags wondering if we can afford to do something. On the contrary, the use of it guarantees us free flow and increase compared to the seemingly one-way system of money (that is until you start to view money as energy too).