By Linda Commito
We never know how much time we have, but we can choose how to live our lives fully, one moment at a time, with awareness and appreciation.
I am fully aware that I’ve let numerous days and hours of my life slip by without notice, especially in younger years, when time was plentiful and easy to squander. But now, with a greater understanding of how precious each day is, I can get irked when people or situations rob me of this gift of time. These“stolen moments” cannot be recovered or repaid.
Covid has made many of us more aware of TIME on many levels . . . for some too much time, for others not enough. But a new time-robber has entered the scene—“waiting to get a vaccine.” It’s become the topic of conversation for those of a certain age: “Did you get yours? How? Where? When?”
After two months of no response on multiple lists, it wasn’t until I was up at 7:00 a.m. on my 4th day of another “promising opportunity,” staring at the computer screen with droopy eyes during the waiting period, watching and counting every 60 seconds with the hope of seeing a “BOOK NOW” button highlighted, that I got woke. Each of the preceding times, I had sat there with impatience for about an hour, only to learn that all of the appointments were booked at the locations near me. Wasted time that I could have been sleeping!
This time, I decided to see what I could accomplish in each of the 60-second periods. It was the inspiration to put pen to paper and start writing this article. What could I do in a minute that would prove time well spent?
- I filled out an address label to mail a gift to my mom.
- I dashed to the refrigerator to grab a yogurt.
- I ate most of the yogurt.
- I wrote an email response
- I deleted some old messages. (Only 1000-plus more to go!)
- I said a prayer for a friend.
- I made a TO DO list for when I was fully awake (and it was way shorter than usual)!
At the end of that hour, I had no appointment, but I had some satisfaction . . . I had regained a semblance of control over my time. And with that, came a sense of calm and a decision to “wait it out.” Fortunately, I didn’t need to . . . that very day I received a text offering me an appointment. Mission accomplished! Now onto the next . . . preparing for an hour-long hold, hoping that someone answers the phone to tell me when I might expect a refund on a flight that was booked over a year ago. I’ve made several attempts, but this time, I intend to have a good article to read and a notepad for creative ideas. I might even take my phone onto the patio and watch the birds fly by OR JUST BREATHE!
Author’s Note: Here are a couple of fun ways to enjoy your minutes! Just Ask 123 question cards are an engaging, fun way to get to know someone. And they can take just a minute to answer. And the Love Is the New Currency book offers inspiring stories that can be read in minutes. Purchase at my website, www.justask123.com, and receive FREE SHIPPING on these for a limited time.
Francesco Tarantino, my partner, wrote and recorded his CD, Love and Madness, and is offering to share a favorite song, appropriately titled: Stolen Moments. (And you can dance to it!) Listen at https://loveisthenewcurrency.com/stolen-moments/.
60 Seconds
by Francesco Tarantino
60 seconds
to be quiet
to feel the wind
to hear the sounds
of life whispering around me
60 seconds
To be engulfed by the love of my partner
Like a wave full of joy
Sweeping against the shoreline
Covering the sands of my sorrow
60 seconds
A lifetime in miniature
A morsel of the magic of life
Sitting there waiting
to be felt
and heard
and imagined
and tasted
and wondered about
60 seconds
To be cherished
as if there were no other 60 seconds
to breathe
60 seconds to pray
60 seconds to disappear
to become one
with all the 60 seconds
That ever were
Linda Commito, author, speaker, entrepreneur, consultant and teacher, is passionate about her vision to leave this world a kinder, more loving, and interconnected place. Linda’s award-winning book of inspirational stories, Love Is the New Currency, demonstrates how we can each make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others through simple acts of love and kindness. Her latest project, the card game Just Ask 1 2 3, was inspired by a desire to connect people of all different ages, beliefs and lifestyles to share our individuality and find commonality. Linda also created “Kindness Starts with Me,” a program, book and website for children. For more information visit http://www.LoveistheNewCurrency.com or visit the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Justask123game.