Taking the Time

You have already read the article I wrote on “Listening” in this book. As I reviewed that article I could not help thinking about how busy we are in our lives. We seem to have something to do all the time that makes it almost impossible for us to take time for others and ourselves.

We seem to be going here and there and everywhere without thinking of whether or not we have time for our loved ones. We think that we are always there for them, but it seems that when they want to just talk to us or see us for a few minutes we always have something to do or we cancel the meeting for some reason.

Why, this can be attributed to the “pace of life” something we all know something about. We only have twenty-four hours to do forty-eight hours of work and then we are unable to complete the task, whatever that may be. Taking time for others is a must. We need to set aside sometime for others and ourselves – our family, our spouse or our mothers and fathers and especially for our children. Not waiting for holidays just to be together with them – as expected.

How often have you thought about visiting someone only to forget that you even had that thought? Maybe today, maybe yesterday you thought of them. Think of them now while you are reading this article, get in touch with them and see them in person if you can. How long has it been since you saw them? Don’t just say, “Let’s go for coffee”, only not to make the time in your schedule to do so – do it.

I know a person who has been writing a book for more than ten years. I asked her why she only works on it sporadically. She didn’t have a good reason for me. I then said, “Why don’t you take the time and work on it and complete it so you can have it published. I want to read what you wrote. From what you tell me it is a good book.” Time, a big word with so many strings attached to it.

It seems that if we are not paid to do something, we are not compelled to do it. One of the greatest “pays” we can have for our work is just completing it and seeing the expression on the face of another when we present it to them.

I always wanted to write a book, but didn’t think I really would until I helped another friend get her book published. Her book was published after ten years of just wanting the book to be published. Now it is available on Amazon, Chapters-Indigo, Barns&Noble, LuLu.com and others. The book is about elementary age children who have written poems, made drawings and written short sayings. The book really represents children from all over the world even though the children in the book are Cuban. The book is printed in three languages that are really great for children. It is printed as an on “demand” book.

So the jest of this article is – TAKE TIME to complete your special project(s), call, or email, write a letter or just take the time to go see your friends and loved ones; take some time for yourself. No matter how much time you think you “don’t have”, complete that special project(s) and talk to that friend - just do it.

My friend’s book is titled “Ninos de Habana”. A must buy.