Counting Minutes and Minutes that Count

   Our lives are tied to the hands of the clock.  We are slaves to that circle that records and defines time.  Always worrying where we should be, when we should be there and god forbid, why we are late.  Moments are measured, timelines are created.  Work begins at 8:00 a.m. off to an appointment at 2:00. A child’s basketball practice begins at 6:30. In between the time obligated constraints there are the other tasks that need to be completed.  Stop at the grocery store, pick up the dry cleaning, help the kids with their homework and prepare the dinner meal.  Run, run, run, one day flows into the next. Each day looks eerily the same.  There is so very little down time, if any at all.

  We have become so busy that we have designated days throughout the year that force us to slow down and take a breath.  We renew our gratitude for being American, free and independent on July 4^th.  We honor all those who have labored in the Country on the First Monday of September. The day that we give gratitude for our bounty is the fourth Thursday of November. The appointed day for us to show our appreciation for life and the gifts bestowed upon us is December 25^th. The problem with these designated days of observance is that we have created frenzy around them. Our preparation for the celebration has robbed us of the original intention. To slow down, relax and reflect.  Our lives are measured, regimented and predictable.  We conform to everyone else’s schedule and do not tend to our own wants and needs. And in all of the running and doing we have lost sight of the purest gifts and beauty that surrounds us.

  I am reminded of the character that Leonardo DiCaprio played in the movie “Titanic”, Jack Dawson. Jack was a simple man with simple needs but he possessed so much insight and understanding of what is truly important.

  His reward for pulling Rose back to safety was a first class dinner with the passengers in first class.  When he was questioned about his life, his worth and what he had accomplished. This is what he said.

“I’ve got everything I need right here with me.  I have the air in my lungs and a few blank sheets of paper. I love waking up in the morning not knowing what is going to happen or who I am going to meet, where I am going to wind up.  Just the other night I was sleeping under a bridge and here I am on the grandest ship in the world having champagne with you fine people.  I figure life is a gift and I don’t intend on wasting it.  You never know what hand you are going to be dealt next. You have to take life as it comes at you…….to make each day count.”

   

    These words contain much wisdom and serve as a wonderful reminder.  Although we have obligations and responsibilities we can still find ways to make each day count.  It is about finding pleasure and beauty in simple moments…..and more importantly remembering to carve out the time to do so. 

   As often as possible I try to get out from behind my desk and go for a walk during my lunch hour.  It is a wonderful way to regroup and refresh.  A couple of weeks ago I had an errand to run during my lunch break.  I returned to the office parking lot and I calculated that I still had a half hour of my lunch time left so I went out for a quick walk.  I abbreviated my route to accommodate the time.

  It was a somewhat mild day and the sky was crystal clear, a pure deep blue. Knowing that I was cutting my time a little too close I was ready to turn around and head back to the office when I heard a bird singing. The tones were mixed with highs, lows and cooing in between. I was being sung a story. It was beautiful and pure. Much to my amazement the bird was only six or seven feet from me in a bush. I snapped a picture and then moved a few steps to get closer. I thought the bird would fly away, but he didn’t he just went further into the bush and continued to sing. I snapped a few more pictures and he stayed there, diligently singing. I closed my eyes, and let the sunshine warm my soul. I listened for two to three more minutes; I did not worry that I would be late getting back to my desk. At this moment, the constraints of time were not important.

   What a sense of peacefulness and connection. I have never been personally serenaded by a bird and especially in such close proximity. It was truly a gift.  At that moment I understood the lesson….slow down and carve out time for yourself, especially when you think you are too busy to do so.….appreciate each moment for what it is and may be, you never know what it may bring……… be open to not only give but remember to receive.  I turned to make my way back to the office I thanked my feathered friend for the song, the lesson and the gift….and he remained in that bush singing as I walked away.

  This past Friday morning as I was rushing around to be at work by my by 8:00 a.m. start time however, while doing so I felt a strong pull to go outside and sit on my back deck.  It has been unseasonably warm in New York during the month of March.  I needed to step outside into the clear morning air and just be….so I did.

 

  I stepped out onto the wooden planks that were covered with an early morning dew.  It was fresh, clear and pure. As I sat down I noticed a golden hue peaking beyond a distant mountain top.  I was mesmerized by the sight and knew that I was not ready to move on.  I was part of an ushering in a new day, one with many possibilities.  Nothing is promised.  We only have today, there no guarantee of a tomorrow.

  Moment by moment the sun continued to rise above the mountain top, and I continued to stand as witness and in amazement.  When was the last time that I actually watched the sun rise?  Maybe last summer while on vacation? It happens three hundred and sixty five days of the year.  Some are more vibrant than others, but each day the sun does rise, and I rarely witness it.  I am too busy tending to the obligations and the chores.

  I stood motionless and silent in reverence for the beauty before me.  With each passing moment the sun became brighter, bolder and moved higher.  It was signaling a new beginning.  One in which I have choices.  Either I can mold this day into what I need to be or allow others to define how it affects me.  Standing there and soaking it all in, I knew I was going to choose to make this what I need it to be.

  After the work day was complete I exited the building for another week. I was greeted by the warm breeze and gentle reassurance of the sun.  It was a long day, and now it was time for the sun to descend.  It readying itself to rest…… but as it had this morning once again it spoke to me.  It was not in the loudest or boldest of voices but it was beckoning to be heard.  I looked towards the light in the distance. Hues of pink were now surrounding it.  Our sun is the brightest of stars the boldest of lights.  At this moment it was gently encased and protected by the wispy clouds.  Much like it did this morning, this evening it gave me a gift and whispered a message…continue to be true to yourself, follow your heart, shine your light……and make it count.  It is not about counting minutes, but appreciating the minutes that count.