This May I thought we all might need some direction to "Make the Most" out of different things we have been given. One of the most precious gifts we have been given is TIME. The older I get, the more precious it becomes. Why? Because as time passes, I notice how quickly things can change. Some moments that I thought might last forever, have come and gone and come and gone again! It's time to really take a look at how we can make the most of every single moment we have.
Time with Our Family - This is one we are preached at all the time to make sure we make the most of and that is time with your family. When you have a young family, sometimes you feel you have so much time with your family that it's not something that is too special! You are busy constantly and just getting through a day with kids, spouse, job and whatever else can be exhausting. However, your family will go through all sorts of different stages and before you know it, you are on to the next stage wondering where the last one went! You start to notice that time keeps going even when you don't think it will. Even during the times you think you will never get a full nights sleep or your teenager will never grow up and be responsible. You also think that grandma will always be there to learn from and talk to and that getting out from the thumb of your parents will never happen. However, all things change. Each moment with our families are fleeting and precious--either because you are learning something about you and life, or because they are the most special, enjoyable moments we may ever have. Some of you may come from really hard families and will never make the most of your time with them because you can't, but, you make your own family in this world, whether by having your own kids or by close friends or maybe even your neighbors. Make the most of every precious minute because things will change. It's inevitable.
Time with Friends and Acquaintances - During the course of our lives our time with friends seems to change. During our younger years our friends are our LIVES. Wherever they are, whatever they are doing, we do our BEST to be right there in the thick of things with them. We are gone with them so much, we don't have time at home. Then time moves on and sometimes so do we. We get busy with life and can't spend the hours on the phone we used to or go to every concert that comes through town, or have a party for every little moment in our lives. We lose touch with some friends and make some new ones. Some friends are for a "season" in our lives. Make the most of the time you have with all of them. No matter what age we are, having peers and those we can relate to outside of family are important and to keep a good relationship with anyone, you have to invest TIME. Sometimes once a month is a good start. You'd be surprised how that can morph into some more, quality time you hadn't thought of or expected. It can bring you some much needed fellowship in your life you didn't know you needed-and-just like with family, you never know when a friend might no longer be around, so enjoy their company while you can. Acquaintances are important, too. Taking the time to say "Hello" can help someone through something you don't know they need help with. Being friendly with those you see once in a while or being appreciative of your mailman or grocery store checker is important, too. Let people know that you appreciate the good work they do and that let them know it makes a difference in your day, because you never know when that nice person may move on to something else and maybe they needed to know you appreciated them. It doesn't take a lot of time to make a difference. You just need to do it.
Time Spent Alone - How do you make the most of time spent alone? Well, I have been asking myself this question since my husband will be gone a few days a week out of town for a work project. I have been writing down things I can try to accomplish when I am on my own. Things that are more difficult to get to when you bend your time around someone you love. I also think that as a person gets older, they will spend more and more time alone and learning to like time with yourself is important. Keep a running list of things you want to do when you are alone and then when you have a moment, do them. Maybe it's just enjoying a game or binge watching your favorite show. Maybe it's time to curl up with a good book or spend time creating something. I find that I get a lot of good ideas when I am alone in the shower! I'm usually just trying to get clean, but, with no one around and just the sound of the water, my brain seems to come up with good ideas! So, before you start to dread alone time, use it to your advantage and make the most of it.
Time on Tasks - Most of the things I have discussed concern being with (or without) people. I also think we need to make the most of our time on tasks in our lives. Don't give up. Do your best work in whatever time you have, because a lot of times in this life all the "extra" time we THINK we will have doing a certain task, somehow disappears and we are scurrying to get something done. When we hurry, it may not be our best work and then we don't feel as good when the task is accomplished. There is nothing more satisfying than putting your best into something and completing it knowing you gave it your best shot. Whether small or large very important tasks, if we give them the time they deserve, chances are we will come out on top! And, I have to say, being on top of challenges in my life sure feels better than being under them!
So make the most of your time. Use it to your advantage and don't let time just push you around. We may not have much control over the movement of time, but we can control what we do with it!
Until Next Time!
Jen Lush--Associate Broker and Mother of Managing BrokerPhoto Credit: Aron Visuals
