The Gift of TIME

I can’t because I don’t have time…

I can’t because I have too much to do…

I can’t because my schedule doesn’t allow it… and so on and so forth

I hear those reasons all the time.  To be fair, I’ve used those reasons as an example of why I can’t get something completed.  Now all of a sudden, due to circumstances beyond our control, I feel as if we have been awarded the gift of time.  At least my family has.  The quarantine has not been an easy task in so many ways but it has been a blessing and a great opportunity in so many ways.  TIME is the best way to describe it.  Time to try new things we barely had time for due to a hectic schedule with school, activities, and appointments. 

• Time to have a small bible study together each morning.
• Time to teach the girls piano and give them the space to practice. 
• Time to teach them sign language.
• Time to watch Star Wars movies since both girls have shown strong interest, and so far they’re loving the storyline. 
• Time to just sit and relax, working on puzzles, reading books, and of course playing dollhouse instead of always being on the move in order to maintain everyone’s schedules.
• Time for our community to come together and help each other out in ways they never have before. 

Now don’t get me wrong, the quarantine is challenging in many aspects, it’s not all butterflies, rainbows, and unicorns at our house.  First of all, the girls are home TOGETHER all the time, with very little personal space, so yes, they fight and argue.  We are learning to adjust to all our plans being canceled, our plans for an awesome spring-break which included Disney on Ice, two concerts canceled, a trip to Disneyland canceled (if you know how much we love Disney, you know how heartbreaking this is).  And not to mention the most obvious impact…the financial brunt this has had on so many.  My speaking events have all been canceled. 

So much of what’s happening around us is beyond our control, but what we can control is our attitude towards it.  Focus on the opportunity you have been presented with, the “Time” you have been blessed with to do all the things you’ve wanted to do and never get the chance to. 

Our quarantine may feel like a prison but we can use this time to pursue our dreams.  Remember, Nelson Mandela wrote his autobiography (best seller) while in prison for 27 years, and Gandhi wrote his memoir while in jail for 6 years.  Our quarantine is full of opportunities and time to do something we have always wanted to try. 

How will you use your time today?