They are great to regulate time on planet Earth. But when you cross a few of them all at once, it can be hard on your system.
Some people find it easier going East, but most seem to find it easier going West.
Sometimes it’s just the circumstances you find yourself in. Work, packing, playing can all add to the challenges.
I’m feeling it at the moment. The gravitational pull of my bed is strong. Yet morning comes very early.
How do you deal with it?
Whether you’re driving to work, heading on holiday, or preparing for exams or presentations, always allow extra time.
You’ll feel more confident. And it will allow for unexpected things to happen and keep your plans intact.
This is some great advice. Whether you’re renovating a property, heading to the airport, going to an exam or interview or even just driving to a friends, you should allow some extra time for unexpected moments.
We won’t always know in advance when traffic gets heavy, someone becomes ill, or someone bumps into us on our way. Just to be sure to be early, and no later than on time, allow extra time than you think is necessary.
Or, there is always enough time, just too many things on your list. Be selective. At one point, your maker will say, ‘time’s up.’ Make sure you have completed the important stuff by that moment.
Having more time seems like a luxury.
Getting more time at the end of a match or exam can be helpful. More time after a difficult diagnosis. The extra hour when clocks fall back in the autumn.
But when it’s time, it’s time.
Aim to go to bed at the same time each night. And definitely keep your alarm set for the same time each day.
Consistency has value. The value comes to both the body and mind.
Do this every day for this week. Then tell me how good it’s felt.
If you want to declare a thought to be yours, how long do you need to wait after someone else says it?
Can you get away with saying you thought of that weeks ago?
It’s the old, ‘You can’t fire me, I already quit.’ Or, ‘I broke up with you three weeks ago. You mustn’t have heard me.’
We seem to be getting that from the provinces in Canada. They do not want the world to think that the recent protests heightened their awareness of the desire for the mandates to end nor that the protestors influenced their decision to end, or not extend, the mandates.
So they weren’t forced. But perhaps, maybe, just maybe, the provincial governments were made aware of the issue and it’s importance to a growing number of Canadians. Some other provinces haven’t made any decisions yet. Possibly, they are penalising Canadians with longer Covid restrictions, just so they don’t look like the protests had any influence.
So how long does it take before a decision will be sufficiently far into the future to not count as being influential or awareness-enhancing. Would a week do it? Probably more like two months. Maybe three. Just to be sure no one thinks you’ve been influenced.
Mr. Trudeau may also be considering how long he has to wait to change any Covid measures before he can claim it has nothing to do with the Truckers or Freedom Convoy.
Well, the fine citizens of Canada may have to live with many more months of Covid restrictions, just so Mr Trudeau, and some Premiers, can claim total control of the decision making. Oh, Canada.
Why do you need to read the news? What is it that is so important about some tragedy 3,700 miles away that you must know? Isn’t there enough struggle, challenge or tragedy on our own doorstep?
There’s about 7.9 billion people on this planet. Assume just 1% of all these people had a tragic moment at sometime during your 80 year life. That’s 79 million people. Let’s say it took you just 5 minutes to read, listen to or watch something about the person and their event.
Then it would take you 751 years on a 24/7 schedule to learn about each one. Who has 10 lifetimes to give to simply learn about the challenges of people around the world.
Be clear why you are doing it. Perhaps your time would be better spent improving the lives of a few people near to you, rather than imagining the pain of people in a distant land.
Is quality time what you want or what they want? If one of you isn’t delighted, is it still quality time? It’s time to have quality time defined.
Deciding you are going for a walk with a friend, who doesn’t enjoy walking, might not be the best idea of quality time. Do you both have to enjoy the activity, discussion or company? Or is it ok if just one of you do?
When you spend some of your day with your young child, is it enough to just enjoy being together? Or do you need to enjoy the event too? Is it quality time either way?
Encouraging your child to try something with you might seem like a good idea. You will be expanding their horizons and possibly adding a new, burgeoning skill to their repertoire. This is brilliant if they thoroughly enjoyed it. However, if they were not very interested or engaged, is it still quality time?
Is a shared memory considered quality time, even if it is not a brilliant or positive one? Perhaps they learned a lesson, or you did. If it came from a difficult experience, but something good came from it, does it fit the description?
In summary, life will be different for you with quality time defined.
You’ve been holding back on something. You want to move forward but the timing doesn’t feel right. Well, the right time is now.
The lights may never be green at every intersection from here to your destination. You may have to slow down or stop once in a while. But another green light will appear and you will be able to continue on your way.
However, getting off your bottom, getting in the correct attire and getting in your car is the start of the journey. You can’t be part done until you start. And yes, you may not have all the information you think you need. Few people ever do. Perhaps you’ve waited too long if that is the case.
Make those phone calls and speak to the people you need to. Read what is critical and do what is required, but at least get going. 90% of life is just showing up. If you show up, they may pick you. If you are the only one there at the right time, you may be in luck.
And you never know what the right moment will be, so you best keep showing up. This reminds me of a time I was walking down a street in Sydney, Australia. A police officer stopped me and asked if I could join a police lineup. But that is another story…
The right time is now. Get out there.
