Slice of Life: Sacred Time 8 of 31

It's day eight of the March Slice of Life Challenge.  31 days of writing.   Thanks to the amazing Two Writing Teachers team for all of their support in this event.  

This morning I woke up to light peeking in my window.  For a minute I wrestled with myself.  "Why am I still in bed," I wondered.  "I'll be late for school."  Glancing at the clock I realized it was already a little after seven.  Then a wave of relief poured over me as I realized it was Saturday.  I contemplated going back to sleep, but once my eyes open my head starts to spin.  I grabbed my computer and moved toward the living room.

I've managed few parameters in my life when it comes to time, but Saturday mornings have become one of them.  Quietly I tiptoed out of my room and into the kitchen.  Opening the cupboard I reached for the coffee to bring the day to life.  The smell quickly drifted into the living room.  Reaching for a cup I filled it with the steamy black liquid, added a little sugar, and poured a little chocolate caramel creamer into the cup.  Yes, dessert in a cup.

Saturdays mornings are a treasure to me.  They have been my day to write since my kids morphed from children to teenagers deciding that morning didn't start until it was nearly afternoon.  I work hard to protect this time of silence for putting my fingers to my keyboard.  I keep lists so I am ready to use it effectively.  Throughout the week I spin ideas so I'll be ready to write when I sit down to do so.  Some weeks are better than others, but still I hold onto this time tightly.  There is an invisible block on my calendar for Saturday morning.

My grandfather used to say, "If something is important enough to you, you'll find time for it."  Deep down I'm pretty sure he is right, but I wonder why there are so many things that are important to me which I still struggle to find time for in my life.  Where is the time to exercise?  Why can't I keep my house clean?  Oh, and that mail?!?  Why do I struggle to find time for just enjoying new things?  Why can't I finish the book I started three days ago?  I think these things are important enough for me but, I think until something is carved into my day or my week, it is easy to let other things take over this time.

This week my friend, Deb, came into school one morning and said she was going to make time to have breakfast at her island each morning.  I don't know what caught my attention about this statement.  Was it the fact that she was going to carve time for herself?  Was it the picture of peace in this little bit of time before our busy day with children?  Was it the word "island" that just made me want to relax?  I'm really not sure, but I know the statement has swirled in my head for most of the week.

The more I think about it, I suppose finding time is making time.  Maybe it's saying no to some things so you can say yes to others.  Maybe it's prioritizing what is most important.  Maybe it's setting limits for the amount of time that can be spent on work.  Maybe it's taking care of yourself a little bit.  Maybe it's making something a part of a routine so it becomes a habit.  Maybe it's just letting some things go.

In a meeting this week our principal smartly said, "Time will always be the enemy."  She's right.  There will never be enough time to do everything we want to do, but time is also our friend.  We are blessed to have it.  I don't have the answers for making better use of time, but this Saturday morning I'm comforted to be sitting here with my keyboard and cup of coffee with a little time to write.