Keep Your Time or Share it Wisely

As I was out with my wife today, playing Santa’s elves, delivering items to tenants while taking pictures of the properties I had a thought about direction and logistics. We had the addresses, a GPS, and a promising idea at the order we needed to go in to make it as smooth as possible. Time, that precious commodity that is the great equalizer was our ruler. How quickly could we accomplish the task so that we could move to the next goal of the day? This was our intention and our number one goal as the engine cranked and we headed to the first house.

When I am out in the truck I really enjoy listening to podcasts about a wide range of topics. Michelle and I will discuss the episode, the car beside us, the building going up, and for sure what is for lunch as that time approaches. We hit the first batch of houses contemplating some realty items, checking out house colors, and looking at Christmas decorations along the way. Time marched on and at this point it was on our side. As we moved to the next area of concentration a couple of scheduled side stops fit in our logistics model perfectly. By now we were listening to a podcast about the latest news in IndyCar. The guest was riveting, the conversation lively, and Michelle and I soaked it in like the warm rays through the windshield.

After another stop along the way it was time to eat lunch. After a typical husband and wife discussion the choice was made and time marched on. We felt like we were making great progress towards completion of another successful day. The clock doesn’t care about traffic, construction, little ladies walking groceries across the street, or business lines. As we aimed the truck towards the heart of downtown Winter Haven the progress slowed just a bit. Wow, what that town has become since I was a kid hauling ass around the streets, first on my bicycle, then as a stupid high schooler with my best friend. Sorry, I digress. The city appears to be going through a continual rebirth and construction and traffic issues are the main by-product. Although this was a minor glitch in our grand plan, the elves charged on from house to house. Pictures were taken, and goodies were received with smiles and hugs. It is nice when tenants are happy.

Have you ever been running and hit a wall? Have you ever needed to turn left but could only go right? The adage of my old fire chief was the fall isn’t what hurts, it’s the sudden stop at the end. Progress is amazing, but the ability to pivot when necessary is also a blessing. We had just delivered to one house and were rounding the corner for another when our day took a right instead of a left and we just stopped suddenly. The phone call was important and directive. The candy was put away, so were the smiles, and support became the objective. It is funny how crucial time is to you when you have something important to do. Well, it is important to you. The schedule was put aside, and others became the focus. Before I move further, all is okay, and we are all going to have more time.

We shifted our path and headed the opposite direction we were intending. Time was still moving and for those involved it was moving quicker. It doesn’t, but we cannot process the data streaming through our conscious quickly enough to slow it down. Processes become regimented, focused, and completely goal oriented. Wait, that is how my day started but this wasn’t for us, this was for someone else. My time was to be shared with someone else. They needed it more than I did. I needed to get to them so that they could utilize my time the best way they saw fit because their time was going too quickly.

Destinations are funny. We all have them. Some we want to get to, others the trip is the fun part, but then there are times when the trip and the destination isn’t that much fun. It is not until you arrive and look inside the destination that you find out if the trip was good or bad. This trip was good. I mean, it was terrible, but it was good in the end. Getting to support someone else during their trip, aiding in their comfort, and easing burdens was simply our destination. A smile and common face made the trip worthwhile. The time can never be replaced, and let me tell you, I cherish my time, but I am honored that I was asked to give up my time so that someone else could utilize it today.

Tomorrow is another day and my time will start over. I am excited that I get to use part of that time to get my daughter to another barn so that she can continue to chase her dream that she so diligently pursues. I also get to watch one of my former players achieve his goal of walking across the stage to accept his diploma. The journey was not smooth, the sacrifices were many for a lot of people involved in his life, and I know that he will continue to pursue his greatness. Time was not our friend while we were together, the clock ran out before the ultimate goal was achieved but we both have pivoted to the next chapter to try again. As the hours pass and the days become nights the contemplation of achievement is inevitable. How many of us really appreciate the time we have, maximize the use, and truly enjoy the moments we get?

Time doesn’t care about what you want. It continues to tick away, and it is up to us how we use it. We control our time and we also control who we want to share our time with. Pick wisely, some people will accept it with gratitude, but others will steal your time for themselves. Enjoy your weekend and the time it allows you use.

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