“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.”

William Penn

We are getting ready to bid farewell not only to a year but to an entire decade. Sometimes I catch myself thinking, “2019? Surely that can’t be right.” I’m sure you have the same moments, maybe when you find a new wrinkle on your face or when social media throws you a memory from five years ago that you are sure happened just last week.

The goddess of time afflicts us all. She is a cunning beast fast-forwarding through moments we wish we could savor and stretching herself out in situations we would prefer  to pass quickly.

Even living in paradise I have bad days- the sun shines too brightly seeming to mock my foul mood and I need to remind myself about the greatness of this life. Most of the things that weigh me down are inconsequential- the interaction with the outside world- idiot cashiers and pushy waiters, internet not working, my car breaking down… trivialities that won’t matter in the next little block of time we call life. There will be new frustrations for sure, but we can choose to face them with the assurance that they are temporary. 

Better to put our energy into making the most of the time we have left- whether it be a day or 40 years none of us know. 

As we catapult into 2020 what are the experiences you yearn for? Is there a fire in you that you have ignored? Maybe it is enough to get through the day with simple pleasures and then subdue your emotions with distractions. Perhaps it is narcissistic to think our lives should be measured by greatness and accomplishment- I don’t know if any of us have a higher purpose to achieve. I do know that I am privileged to even be able to ask the question. My days are not distracted with basic survival, my life is well provided for- I have food on the table and a roof over my head. I can daydream. I can ask what I would like to do with the time I have left- these questions are luxuries in themselves. 

So when the sun shines too bright and I feel myself getting bogged down, I think of the goddess of time. I imagine her beside me daring me to make the most of her gifts. 

Happy Holidays!

See you in 2020!

Jane