When you’re at the end of your life, do you think you’ll look back and think, “I’m sure glad I worked so much!” Probably not. In fact, it’s a known fact that the elderly in their last days talk about the regrets they have, and one of those big regrets is usually not taking the time to enjoy life, have fun, and be present with the ones they loved.
We each have about 27,000 days on this earth, give or take. If you consider that a third of those days are reserved for sleeping, and another large percentage makes up your early childhood years which no one can remember, what you’re left with isn’t much!
How many days do you have left? Here is my math:
That is not enough time to be wasting it on foolishness. Time to stop worrying about pleasing the world in general. Do your own math. Think about how much time you spend with people who are just angry about life. Is it 20 minutes a day? in those 6,563 days, that adds up to 91 days. Do you want to spend 3 months with those folks? I don’t!
As the great philosophers have said, realizing how short life is, reminds us to live fully and live presently in the moment! Knowing your time isn’t endless is what makes us value that time so very much. And when you value something, you’re reluctant to waste it.
There are lots of ways to minimize wasted time from the time that each of us has. Off the top of your head, what things can you think of that waste of your time? Watching TV? Staying in a dead-end relationship that doesn’t fulfill you? Here are some other common ways that you reduce the enjoyment of the time you have:
- Allowing yourself to become surrounded by negative people who suck the happiness right out of you. It pays to make the decision to show these people the door. Fire staff or clients who drain your energy. When all of that negative energy isn’t taking up space around you, you have the space to let in so much positive energy!
- Complaining about things you have no control over. There are things you can control, and many, many situations that you can’t control. Take control of what you can to make your center better, but stop complaining and worrying about those things you simply can’t control. It’s that whole accept what you cannot change mantra from AA. You don’t have to be an alcoholic to benefit from it.
- Being afraid to ask for help when you need it will make your life WAY harder than it needs to be. There is no shame in asking for help, and when you do, you allow someone else the amazing feeling of giving that help.
- Don’t let anyone other than you dictate how you live your life. These people who offer friendly (or not so friendly) “advice” are usually feeling pretty bad about their own situation.
- Chasing money, or happiness of the moment, rather than long-term happiness and the true meaning of life. Money is simply a conduit to those experiences that fulfill you and fill you with joy. Use it for it’s intended purpose, but don’t chase it just to have more of it. Look for opportunities to impact people’s lives for the better.
Working in early childhood we get to live impactful lives. We get to create wonderful welcoming environments that allow children to wonder, play, race, grow, and create. Honor that by keeping the negative folks at arm’s length, focusing on what you can change, getting support, listening to your own inner truth, and building your best life.
What is one thing you hate doing? How much time do you spend on that a day or week?
- What is that thing
- How many days will it take if everything stays the same?
