The Time You’ve Been Given – 15 Positive Ways to Spend 15 Days

Time is our most precious resource.  Let us first remember and be grateful for those whose time is not their own, especially now. Those brave and selfless healthcare workers and others who are working tirelessly, to manage and mitigate this pandemic. This will pass, we will recover, and hopefully emerge as a stronger, wiser, and more grateful people. But in the meantime, what an opportunity we have all been given!

For most of us many of the daily things that used to consume our time, money and energy have been cancelled, freeing up time for us to do with as we please. It may feel like we have escaped from our neck-breaking, hard driving, overwhelming schedules and allowed more time. Time to slow down, re-group, re-focus, and re-connect with things that matter most. As Gandalf, from Lord of the Rings has wisely shared, “All we have to do is decided what to do with the time that is given us.”

Just imagine the possibilities! So, what will you do with this unexpected gift of time? Will you put your life on hold or pause? Spend time binge watching TV or playing video games? Or will you choose to come out of this crisis having served others, strengthened your relationships, and accomplished worthy goals?

This time is yours to do with what you will. May I challenge you identify what you might do to improve yourself and enrich the lives of others. Perhaps begin by making a few lists. Write a list of things that make you happy, a list of things you have been putting off, a list of things you enjoy, a list of things you may want to do, learn and share. Here is my list and my commitment to make the very most of the next few weeks.

15 Positive Ways to Spend 15 Days:

1. Work out on my elliptical at home, each day
2. Volunteer time to help distribute meals / serve in our community
3. Finish reading, The Saints Volume II
4. Take online guitar lessons
5. Finish the flooring and walls in our family room & stairwell
6. Complete the molding project in our living room
7. Write and mail 15 notes to 15 people. (Grandkids for sure!)
8. Finish and file our taxes. (I was going to file an extension)
9. Get my mangy dog groomed
10. Design and make a decorative table box.
11. Capture lessons learned from 25 years as a WLS patient (video, blog)
12. Complete photo project on each grandchild
13. Resume writing in my journal
14. Complete dental work I have been putting off.
15. Share my progress in a new article.

Let me close by sharing a favorite story of mine.  At the age of 65, Hyrum Smith’s mother, (Founder of Franklin Covey Company), decided to go back to school at the University of Hawaii to get a 2^nd degree. Hyrum overheard the conversation as she shared her plans with friends. One of her friends piped up and said, “You have got to be kidding? It will take you 3 years to get that degree; by then you will be 68 years old! Hyrum’s mother, wisely replied, “In three years, I will be 68 years old anyway!”

Remember, the time between now and next year, today and 15 days from now will go by one way or the other. You can choose to be the same as you are now, worse off than you are now, or better – the choice is yours.

So, what will you do with your time?