The Time Thief
I've used this one before but I think it works
The first week of the new year is now a faded memory and the calls, calendar entries, emails and texts have resumed their assault on the day.
How are you doing? Are you getting it all done?
I'm not. It is as if someone is stealing time from me.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. - John 10:10
Today's reading from the Gospel of John has nothing to do with stealing time, but it does help me focus on being true to myself and my purpose in life.
It is so easy for me to get caught up in the pace of daily life, with its blocked out meetings and conference calls, task lists and payment schedules. Sometimes it is hard to see beyond the clutter and busy-ness to get down to real business, whatever that may turn out to be.
January is supposed to be new beginning time, or at least new resolution time, when we shake off the dust of same-old and try to find the track that leads to the right goals.
We will get a second chance at that when Spring comes, the time of new birth and renewal, but it would be nice to get a head start, wouldn't it?
Some people have no problem staying focused. By that, I mean, they have their heads up rather than buried in details.
They are like those new LED headlights on some luxury cars that can look around corners in anticipation of the turn. I envy that ability, and at times I manage to emulate it, to some degree, but not as often as I would like.
For me, there is one more tweak, one more adjustment, one more try before shutting down the computer and taking my shower so I won't be late for the next meeting.
This daily discipline (I try to get to it daily) is the kind of thing I need, to keep that time thief from stealing away all my couldas and shouldas.
By taking the time each morning to read and reflect, I force myself to change focus, to look around the corner, to pull my head up.
It doesn't guarantee that I will stay that way throughout the day. Things come up; stuff happens.
Perhaps the answer is to break up the routine more, to check in with life a few times a day, rather than once.
What do you think? Is there hope for an aging baby boomer, or will I find myself becoming more of the same as I grow older?
Wow, that's a depressing thought.
More to come...