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Tick Tock Tick Tock
History indicates that it was the Sumerians who initiated the idea of time. However the culture was lost before it could pass on its knowledge. Following were the Egyptians who were next to officially divided the day into parts. The obelisks were built as early as 3500BCE, showing the year's longest and shortest days as well as determining morning and afternoon. But it was the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars that have provided us a reference for measuring the passage of time throughout our existence. Ancient civilizations relied upon the celestial heavens and the apparent motion of these bodies to determine seasons, months, and years. From sundials to atomic clocks humankind has had some system of telling time.
So here we are in the 21st century. Digital clocks with large and small numbers appear to be the norm. A mantel clock that has been in our family for maybe 70 years gets my attention every Sunday night when I wind it. Grandfather clocks, alarm clocks and built-in clocks to alert you as to just how quickly your microwaved dinner will be heated to your liking. We also have the convenience of knowing the time from a cell phone, as well as having it provided us with an alarm system to wake us for an early morning flight. The wonders of technology.
Amazing! So the question to ponder is what do you do within the context of time? We all apparently have the same minutes in a day. Is your day jammed packed with to-do's that push your overwhelm button? Are you a victim of time? Are you ever "caught up" or always behind? Common phrases we often hear are:
"I just don't have enough time to take a walk this week with you."
"That was a waste of my time."
"I was left for over 45 minutes waiting for my doctor appointment.
Doesn't _____ know my time is valuable also?"
Time does seem to get the best of us. We are demanding a lifestyle based on fast, rapid, quick, speed, acceleration and hurry. Everyone is busy and they want it yesterday. No big aha. You know this scenario. You might ask, "But what can I do about this frantic pace in your life?" If you sincerely want to make some changes here are a few suggestions from The Attitude Doc:
a. Make a list of your priorities.
b. Start with personal; what is essential to your wellbeing?
c. Enter them into your day timer, as you would a business appointment
d. Then schedule other appointments.
e. Show up, as you would for a business appointment for them all.
f. Consider integrating playtime as well as creative time.
g. Be in charge of your own time.
h. Take time...to introspect about how you spend your time.
You may not like what is happening but your life is ticking away at every moment. I recall when the post office had a digital clock that clicked off hours minutes and seconds during the month prior to the turn of the century. I asked the clerks what kind of response they were hearing from those stepping to their window for post office business. "They hate it," I was told more than once. Your life is ticking away-like it or not. Are you living your priorities, or letting someone else set them for you?
As often as you've heard it and as corny as it sounds the truth is that there is only the present, the now, the moment. You get to choose the quality of each precise instant. There's nobody and nothing to blame. You are the CEO of your life. Do you approve of how your business of life is being run?
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About the Author
Alexandra Delis-Abrams, Ph.D., also known as The Attitude Doc., refers to herself as a "stretch," rather than a "shrink." Her website www.theattitudedoc.com offers ways to improve ones attitude, which determines the quality of ones happiness. Check out the bargain bundles that effectively and brilliantly support life change. Visit her other website www.abcfeelings.com, offer important teaching tools for the 21st century to help children learn to identify their feelings through the alphabet.
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