Every Sunday my phone dutifully tells me how much time I’ve spent playing games, been on social media, actually done something useful with my time and we all know that nothing super life changing is happening on our phones.
And yet, “I don’t have time to exercise”.
“Because I’m in business”, I must spend an inordinate amount of time perusing Instagram, facebook and countless blogs, websites and related groups to make sure we continue to stand out above the rest. Of course, while I’m there, I get might distracted and before I know it, I’ve spent way too much time doing what amounts to be absolutely nothing worthwhile.
And yet, I don’t have time to read a real book.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with down time. We get so caught up in our busy lives, and mountains of emails, both junk and legit and the stress of connecting all the dots, that we barely leave time for us to breathe through a panic attack. It’s no wonder that we allow ourselves time to unwind while we swipe through the lives of our 500 friends, co-workers and those we haven’t even met face to face. It’s mind numbing.
And yet, I don’t have time to work in the garden I plan EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
The train simply rolls on by, and the mind doesn’t rest even at night for all the lists I have yet to put on paper from the stream of consciousness that keeps me awake.
I don’t even make time to rest. Until I must.
I found an old set of neon pink two-pound dumbbells and decided once and for all that I did not want to have the flabby arms that could wave like the American flag in a strong wind. I also am not dedicated though enough to join a gym or make the time to actually go. I made a deal with myself that for 60 seconds, I could lift those weights and gain back some strength in my aging lack of muscle. A month later, I actually have some definition and I’ve increased my stamina and added other exercises, too.
I can justify a small amount of dedicated effort and grow it from there. I know myself well enough to know I can’t and won’t bite off a big change, but I can rationalize a one-minute transformation all day long.
One minute of refinement has changed the way I view what I should do versus what I want to do. I make my bed every single day because it only takes 30 seconds and I like seeing a neat bed when I’m ready to climb back into it. Two minutes of weed pulling has gotten this old hippie back in touch with mother earth and soaking up sunshine. One minute of attentive conversation at the dinner table can create the curiosity needed to fuel a one-hour late night date.
I still spend entirely too much time on my phone. I still keep playing mindless games and follow the comings and goings of people I’ve never met. I am however, making an incremental transformation that feels like I’m headed in the right direction.
One minute and one day at a time.
Make time to love,
Elaine
