Wow, I have to admit that I'm a bit shaken by the irony. I was nearly finished with this blog entry until I hit Save, when in an instant, my entire entry vanished. I've tried everything to retrieve the original entry to no avail! It's funny because I'd been writing about, of all things, time. Now time has once again managed to slip through my fingers as I'm now rewriting today's entry.
I had referred to a portion of that Steve Jobs quote from the other day...
"Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice.
And most important, have the courage to
follow your heart and intuition."
You're right, there's no mention of time in this quote, but following your heart can take quite some time, a lifetime, in fact. I've spent years trying to listen to my inner voice and follow my heart. In doing this heart following thing, I've often wrestled with conflicting opinions regarding how I have chosen to spend the majority of time.
According to many, my time would have been better spent doing other than what I have done. To me, deep down to the core of me, I believe differently. Still, it sort of stings a bit when I see the looks of shock and surprise when I share that I am primarily, a stay at home, Mom_ a homemaker. Other than occasional freelance opportunities of writing or illustration projects and my new venture in selling my artwork through Etsy, Michael, Sydney & Joe have had my full time attention. From the looks on people's faces, I could surely be spending my valuable time on more substantial and certainly more lucrative, pursuits.
When it comes to the topic of time, society has a huge impact on how we all see, use and value our time. The following everyday phrases spell it out, loud and clear:
According to many, my time would have been better spent doing other than what I have done. To me, deep down to the core of me, I believe differently. Still, it sort of stings a bit when I see the looks of shock and surprise when I share that I am primarily, a stay at home, Mom_ a homemaker. Other than occasional freelance opportunities of writing or illustration projects and my new venture in selling my artwork through Etsy, Michael, Sydney & Joe have had my full time attention. From the looks on people's faces, I could surely be spending my valuable time on more substantial and certainly more lucrative, pursuits.
When it comes to the topic of time, society has a huge impact on how we all see, use and value our time. The following everyday phrases spell it out, loud and clear:
Time well spent...
A time and season for everything...
In due time...
Time out...
Halftime...
Part time...
Full time...
Part time...
Full time...
Time and time again...
Desperate times call for desperate measures...
Time flies...
Time flies when you're having fun...
Longtime friends...
Time heals all wounds...
Time is money...
Only time will tell...
Killing time...
Time's a wastin'...
No time like the present...
Borrowed time...
Borrowed time...
Timing is everything...
One more for that list. My husband uses a phrase, "time burglar". He's referring to things that consume gobs of time before a person even realizes it. For example, FaceBook, Twitter and MySpace can be real time burglars.
There's a slue of songs that underscore our emphasis on time:
Summertime...
Summertime...
A Time for Us...
Nick of Time...
Time Passages...
Time After Time...
Time in a Bottle...
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face...
Too Much Time on my Hands...
One Day at a Time...
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?...
Face it, how we're spending our time is never far from our thoughts_ even in our music, we're constantly encouraged to make every minute count.
Joyfully, I've focussed the majority of the past two decades on breakfast time, lunchtime, snack time, dinnertime, time out, playtime, quality time, nap time and bedtime.
Thoughtfully, I'm walking through each day, recognizing that since time never stands still, the time has come to once and for all, put the noise of other's opinions to rest and focus on some genuine and much needed quiet time, wholeheartedly celebrating this precious inner voice of mine.
Dear God, I have to say thank you. Thank you for giving me the courage to listen to my inner voice that has guided me towards irreplaceable time shared with my family. When conflicting ideas sought to tear down the role I play, you helped me stand strong and guard the lifestyle I have chosen.
While I've been home with my family, I have not gone to the place of deciding the role others should play as I respect and appreciate so many professional women who are very dear friends. I celebrate these women, just as I celebrate my own contribution. Let them continue on their chosen paths and allow them every reward possible.
I know I could ask you to work on the hearts of the ones who happen to disagree with my choice to be a homemaker, but I don't need to go there because you are taking perfectly great care of my own heart, which is the only heart for which I am accountable. Help me to forgive and love all who don't understand and oppose my decisions.
Thank you for the creative resources you've provided to allow me this pleasure of being a stay at home Mom and wife. While it may not be the popular choice, it has been a precious and powerful journey for me and I will be forever grateful.
Watch over my friends and family today, God. Remind each of them how wonderful they are and how you care about the unique inner voice of every person. Give each one a heart that wants to hear and the courage to listen.
Face it, how we're spending our time is never far from our thoughts_ even in our music, we're constantly encouraged to make every minute count.
Joyfully, I've focussed the majority of the past two decades on breakfast time, lunchtime, snack time, dinnertime, time out, playtime, quality time, nap time and bedtime.
Thoughtfully, I'm walking through each day, recognizing that since time never stands still, the time has come to once and for all, put the noise of other's opinions to rest and focus on some genuine and much needed quiet time, wholeheartedly celebrating this precious inner voice of mine.
Dear God, I have to say thank you. Thank you for giving me the courage to listen to my inner voice that has guided me towards irreplaceable time shared with my family. When conflicting ideas sought to tear down the role I play, you helped me stand strong and guard the lifestyle I have chosen.
While I've been home with my family, I have not gone to the place of deciding the role others should play as I respect and appreciate so many professional women who are very dear friends. I celebrate these women, just as I celebrate my own contribution. Let them continue on their chosen paths and allow them every reward possible.
I know I could ask you to work on the hearts of the ones who happen to disagree with my choice to be a homemaker, but I don't need to go there because you are taking perfectly great care of my own heart, which is the only heart for which I am accountable. Help me to forgive and love all who don't understand and oppose my decisions.
Thank you for the creative resources you've provided to allow me this pleasure of being a stay at home Mom and wife. While it may not be the popular choice, it has been a precious and powerful journey for me and I will be forever grateful.
Watch over my friends and family today, God. Remind each of them how wonderful they are and how you care about the unique inner voice of every person. Give each one a heart that wants to hear and the courage to listen.
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1 comment:
Thank you for pointing out the value of how I spend my time. From a fellow stay-at-home mom and a home school mom, who also joyfully spends time with my kids... reading time, math time, laundry time, bible time, Sunday school time, church time, dinner time, movie time, play time, walk time, playing with the dog time, etc. etc. Love the blogs. Thanks for dropping a note to let me know. More later... Andrea
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