Time is Not Just for Planning
Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 12:18AM 
We spend a good part of our days thinking about what we have to do, want to do or need to do. We spend even more time working to get those things done. And then there are the moments or snapshots that mark time. Sometimes I can conjure up these images and other times I’m reminded of the moments from photos. These treasured photos help me remember both the mundane and significant moments that mark the passage of time.
As a parent, some of the significant family moments are things like the births of our children, first days of school, recitals, birthdays, graduations and all the “big” events in between. We know these moments define change. Then there are the beautiful non-event moments that get captured like your child smiling in delight or holding their Daddy’s hand.
As our youngest daughter just went to her senior prom, you can imagine the volume of photos that were taken of her and her friends. The paparazzi of parents gathered together with their cameras to capture this significant moment in their sons’ and daughters’ lives. Some were teary eyed as they watched their “babies” all grown up in their prom attire. Some talked in disbelief wondering, “Where did the time go?”
Photos were taken and our kids went off. The parents remained with instantaneous digital pictures preserving the memory.
As I looked at the prom photos, I thought about other times of “dressing-up.” Our daughters loved putting on costumes whether is was Halloween or not. They’d appear as ballerinas, fairies, princesses or other characters. Hours were spent selecting costumes and playing pretend. Perhaps things haven’t changed so much. They are still dressing up, but differently from when they were little girls.
Our time is partly in the planning, but mostly in the moments that make us stop and realize how very precious time is. So, even if you are in the midst of a frenzy of lists to complete and places to go, take some time to stop and appreciate the moment you are in. It all goes way too fast.
What are you appreciating right now?
Linda Samuels, CPO-CD
® is a compassionate, enthusiastic professional organizer, coach, author & blogger who facilitates change in others' lives. A revolving door empty-nester, she lives with her husband in a small, colorful home with a purple front door.
Reader Comments (3)
Captured perfectly!
That is so true. I could see in my mind's eye the wonderful snapshots of things I will always treasure. Moments with my boys when they were young. Vacations with our family. Special event dinners and so on. I am a gardener and so really value the minutes of time I am able to carve out so that I can escape to my garden and play in the dirt. Lots and lots of planning goes into being able to carve the minutes out of my busy schedule. Planning is key!
I love the advise you give - to be present in the moment and enjoy it for it is fleeting.
Thanks so much for sharing, Diane. The moments are so precious and they are there for us to enjoy if we allow ourselves to stop long enough to soak them in. How wonderful that you have your garden! Things will always be growing for you.