Gift

I think that as a society we are moving too quickly and six months ago I was wound so tight I started coming apart at the seams. Unfortunately I chose to ignore it until it grew to be out of proportion. I have taken a giant step back and I'm learning to adjust to quieter times. I enjoyed all of the things I was doing but not in which the volume I was doing them. I realize that. Now. I'm still doing many of those things but not at the rate I was going. My epiphany was a gift.

I still have a lot to learn about letting go but it's something I'm working on. Nobody wishes they could let go more than I do. I care so much. Maybe too much. Maybe not. However, I get myself worked up over things that I can't change which is completely ridiculous and a waste of my time. Time is something we can never get back. It's an irreplaceable resource. Time is a gift. 

Too often we say "I don't have time" or "I wish we had more time" but I wonder if either of those lines is really true. I'm sure we mean it when we say those things but if we really meant it then why aren't we making it so? Is it really possible that we are so busy or wrapped up in our own lives that we can't take a second to reevaluate all that we are doing and say "this is not good for me and it's time for a revamp"? If you think about it isn't it selfish not to? Honesty is a gift.

I think about when we lose someone we love. We often tell ourselves "they deserved more time" or "I wish I had more time with them." If you're not making an effort to connect now then you're running a high risk of losing that chance later. Don't lose your chance. People are gifts.

It's not like I'm sitting on top of my high and mighty throne. This blog post is as much for me as it is for anyone else that might read it for what it is and say "yes, I think I'll try that." I have a few resolutions for 2013 that I'll share with you:
 

1. Be more thoughtful
2. Check in with people you love more often
3. Write and send hand written notes

If I send someone a hand written note saying "I'm thinking of you" or "I hope today is a great day for you" then that kills three birds with one stone. It's thoughtful. I'm checking in with people I love. I'm writing and sending hand written notes. Communication is a gift.

If I'm being completely honest here I'll add that I still am a little surprised at the amount of people that don't check in with each other. If you've experienced loss you should be checked on. If you're sick you should be checked on. If you're having a rough patch you should be checked on. If things in your life are wonderful you should be checked on. Checking in with people allows us to say "I care" without having to directly say that. It also sends the message that although we're all busy you still took time out of your life to say hello. Having someone to check in on is a gift.

So, here I am, challenging myself and you to be well connected. If you love or care for someone there's really no reason we shouldn't be more connected. I have well over 300 Facebook friends. I'd say about 20 of us actually speak. Why is that? If tools like Facebook are to be utilized for things such as staying connected then why aren't we plugged in? Connectivity is a gift.