Where Did the Time Go?
Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 8:01AM 
Twenty-nine years. Today my wonderful husband, Steve and I celebrate our anniversary. Time has passed quickly from the day we said our wedding vows to now. Our time has been rich with family, friends, children, adventures, work, fun, growth, joy, laughter and challenges. I am grateful for all of our moments together- our family time, our parenting time, our just us time, and our challenging time. How did it go so fast?
Seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, and years organize the convention of time. However, we remember time by the people, things, and activities we give our attention to. Time is filled with the priorities we set. It’s what we include in our time that gives our life meaning.
Choices are available at every moment. What do you focus on? Who do you focus on? What distracts you? What do you want to include in your life? Neither the clock nor the choices stop. You have an opportunity right now to invite in what’s most important. When you look back twenty-nine years from now, your memories will reflect your decisions.
Have all my choices been good ones? They have not. I’m human, just like you. Maybe I said “yes” to ice cream too often. Maybe I spent a bit too much time engaged in social media. Maybe the words that needed to be said were silent. Yet when I reflect on these years, I know that many of the choices I made were positive. They helped me to create time that was filled with the people I love, the things I enjoy doing, and work that’s meaningful. Without hesitation, the best choice I made was twenty-nine years ago when I said, “I do” to my best friend and Sweetheart.
The time will pass before you know it. What will you say “yes” to? Come join in the conversation. Share your thoughts, your choices, and your memories with us.
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 (10)
Dear Linda,
My warmest congratulations to you and Steve! Twenty-nine years is a remarkable accomplishment. Best wishes and blessings to both of you. xoxo
Thank you, Yota for your wonderful & warm anniversary wishes. There's much to celebrate and be grateful for. We have had great role models in our parents who had incredibly loving, close and long-lasting marriages of 60 and 61 years.
Dearest Lin,
What a lovely post! I always enjoy reading what you have to say, but this touches me greatly. I certainly married up! You are wonderful and I'm so thankful you're my best friend and life partner. Forever yours, S
I'm the lucky one! Thank you for your constant love, encouragement and support. Happy Anniversary, Honey. I love you always, L
Dear Linda & Steve,
What a wonderful time, to be celebrating 29 years together. Actually, Peg and I are just a little behind you - we will be celebrating our 25th this September. We were talking the other night about what sustains long marriages - respect for each other, common and separate interests, support for each other's endeavors, communication, intellectual parity, caring and friendship. There are obviously plenty of other attributes. Peg and I know what works for us to keep us safe with each other and our children, in spite of adversity or struggles. We always admired that you had whatever it is that keeps you healthy in your loving, caring family relationship with Allison and Cassie. It is a monument to what life can be like, for almost three decades of sharing. Congratulations and much love from Peg, Paul, Rebecca and me.
Congrats Linda! Sounds like you have a wonderful family, husband and marriage. Your timing of this post uncanny...check out the RAO post from Monday. http://www.readyaimorganize.com/blog/2012/06/life/traditional-clutter-free-anniversary-gifts/
Happy Anniversary!!!
What beautiful, loving words, Larry. How awesome that you and Peg will be celebrating 25 years together! Congratulations to you too. I remember when you met and it's been true love ever since. You certainly know about what it takes to sustain and nurture relationships. You both have been through a lot and still make each other laugh. It's a beautiful thing. Here's to love, family, and being married to our best friends.
Theresa- Thank you for your kind words. I just read your wonderful post. Congratulations to you on your 5th anniversary! I just love the ideas you share about clutter-less gift ideas! Fabulous. They are based on sharing the best gift we have....time.
I loved your insight about how we have a choice in each moment of time - and how this really does add up over the years to the picture of our life. Every moment we choose. And yet, so many people are "so busy" they don't realize how many choices they miss by running thru life. I love that retreats, meditation, yoga and off the grid vacations are more a part of our culture so we can slow down.
Thanks so much, Sue. As a coach, I know you completely understand the idea of choice. It's there in all the small and big decisions we make. The slowing down that you talk about and ways of doing it are essential IF you desire more awareness and less stress. Of course we all have times of busy, but that balance between activity and calm is useful to pursue. I always appreciate your words of wisdom that you bring to the conversations. Great to hear your voice.