| TIME Managing My Prized Asset |
When people ask me what I value the most, my answer is always the same-my
children. Okay then, they expect that answer. They then ask me other than them,
what do I value the most. They expect me to say my home, or my vehicle, or my
bowling balls. They seem rather shocked when I say one simple word, TIME.
My home is rented.
My vehicle, while cherished, is simply a way to get where I am going. Other than my
vanity plate (SPONGE) I won't spend a fortune dolling it up.
My bowling balls can always be replaced with a little cash, like every other material
possession.
Time, on the other hand, is not replaceable. Once a moment has passed, it is gone
forever.
Think about it. We only get so many moments here on Earth, decided long ago by
God, before we were ever born. Each moment should be prized and cherished.
I have a disease that will shorten my life. According to doctors, I am already living on
time I should not have. I should have died long ago. I am very much aware of every
tick of the clock. At the end of every day I start to close my eyes and look at the way I
spent that day. If I feel I wasted my time, I get irritated with myself.
Ah, but how do we spend that time? Many of us spend out time doing nothing but
work. Oh, I admire the strong work ethic of many people. The desire of many to do a
job well and thoroughly is very noble. But as I sit in airports watching others frantically
typing away on their laptops I wonder how much they enjoy this gift from the future
called the PRESENT. I wonder if they spend all of their time padding the bank
account as much as they can so that they can have a nicer home, etc. I wonder how
much of their time they give to their kids. I can assure those of you who are
workaholics out there that YOUR kids want your TIME more than they want "things"
from you. While it bothers me that I cannot provide the nicest clothes or other things
for my kids, I also can tell you that playing a board game with them for an hour or so is
more rewarding than any job I ever did. While others' kids have designer clothes and
fancy cars, my kids have something they cherish more, their father's companionship
and mentoring. Ally knows that no matter what, Dad is just a knock or a phone call
away. Even if it is two in the morning, I am their Dad first. Even if it is just to discuss
boy problems, Dad puts down the bowling ball to talk to his daughter. Even if it is to
talk about the latest episode of SpongeBob, Dad is there for his little boy. Ask most
kids what they want more of from their parents and they will tell you, TIME.
My schedule is always full. However when I look at my weekly planner, I notice that
certain days are marked out. Those weekends and days that Ally and Alex are here,
there is a big "X" marked through the whole time list. It is theirs to spend as they wish.
When someone asks me to bowl or appear I look at my visitation schedule. If my kids
are going to be here, others will have to work around that.
How many of you schedule time to relax? Want to reduce your stress? Schedule
some YOU time as well.
One of my biggest sources of irritation is those who think they can spend my time for
me. My time is a gift from God. After my kids take their share it is MY time to spend
how I choose. Many think that they can just take some of that time whenever they
choose. Many think I have countless hours to answer the phone or talk through
e-mail. Believe me, I enjoy those things and do them whenever I can. However some
seem quite irritated if I do not drop whatever I am doing to get to their desires. Sorry,
my time is priceless. No matter how much money you offer, you can't replace that
moment I just lost.
Some people I have been counseling or looking after for a while. In an emergency I
give them my time. However, the assumption many make when they schedule
something for me WITHOUT ASKING boils my blood more than anything. Just
because I am available for you tomorrow and made time for that does NOT give you
the right to assume I will be available in three days if your own schedule changes.
Don't assume that. If you need to reschedule, please make sure that I can as well.
Some have assumed I will be available to run them to the doctor any time they see fit.
Wrong, my time is mine. Check with me first. If you need ME, then be willing to work
around MY schedule. My favors are just that, NOT obligations.
I have been scheduling more and more free time for myself. No writing, no bowling.
Just free time. Time I have missed to read or just chat with friends.
I would not have been able to do this without the help of Jamie, my assistant,
secretary and close friend. She has helped me budget my time better. This is one
big reason that my health has improved as of late. I take time to rest and relax now.
While this may seem like a rant to some, it is more of a request to ask you all to look
at your own precious gift of TIME. Remember that each passing moment can never
be replaced. I hope you all make the most of each single one.
Those of you who value money above all I would like you to look at it this way. Lets
say that at the beginning of your life you were given one million dollars to spend
however you liked. But you cannot ever get more money in any way. You can spend
the first chunks of it like water. I bet you though, that when you are down to your last
ten dollars, you will watch every penny.
Be well,
Sponge
01/09/2006
children. Okay then, they expect that answer. They then ask me other than them,
what do I value the most. They expect me to say my home, or my vehicle, or my
bowling balls. They seem rather shocked when I say one simple word, TIME.
My home is rented.
My vehicle, while cherished, is simply a way to get where I am going. Other than my
vanity plate (SPONGE) I won't spend a fortune dolling it up.
My bowling balls can always be replaced with a little cash, like every other material
possession.
Time, on the other hand, is not replaceable. Once a moment has passed, it is gone
forever.
Think about it. We only get so many moments here on Earth, decided long ago by
God, before we were ever born. Each moment should be prized and cherished.
I have a disease that will shorten my life. According to doctors, I am already living on
time I should not have. I should have died long ago. I am very much aware of every
tick of the clock. At the end of every day I start to close my eyes and look at the way I
spent that day. If I feel I wasted my time, I get irritated with myself.
Ah, but how do we spend that time? Many of us spend out time doing nothing but
work. Oh, I admire the strong work ethic of many people. The desire of many to do a
job well and thoroughly is very noble. But as I sit in airports watching others frantically
typing away on their laptops I wonder how much they enjoy this gift from the future
called the PRESENT. I wonder if they spend all of their time padding the bank
account as much as they can so that they can have a nicer home, etc. I wonder how
much of their time they give to their kids. I can assure those of you who are
workaholics out there that YOUR kids want your TIME more than they want "things"
from you. While it bothers me that I cannot provide the nicest clothes or other things
for my kids, I also can tell you that playing a board game with them for an hour or so is
more rewarding than any job I ever did. While others' kids have designer clothes and
fancy cars, my kids have something they cherish more, their father's companionship
and mentoring. Ally knows that no matter what, Dad is just a knock or a phone call
away. Even if it is two in the morning, I am their Dad first. Even if it is just to discuss
boy problems, Dad puts down the bowling ball to talk to his daughter. Even if it is to
talk about the latest episode of SpongeBob, Dad is there for his little boy. Ask most
kids what they want more of from their parents and they will tell you, TIME.
My schedule is always full. However when I look at my weekly planner, I notice that
certain days are marked out. Those weekends and days that Ally and Alex are here,
there is a big "X" marked through the whole time list. It is theirs to spend as they wish.
When someone asks me to bowl or appear I look at my visitation schedule. If my kids
are going to be here, others will have to work around that.
How many of you schedule time to relax? Want to reduce your stress? Schedule
some YOU time as well.
One of my biggest sources of irritation is those who think they can spend my time for
me. My time is a gift from God. After my kids take their share it is MY time to spend
how I choose. Many think that they can just take some of that time whenever they
choose. Many think I have countless hours to answer the phone or talk through
e-mail. Believe me, I enjoy those things and do them whenever I can. However some
seem quite irritated if I do not drop whatever I am doing to get to their desires. Sorry,
my time is priceless. No matter how much money you offer, you can't replace that
moment I just lost.
Some people I have been counseling or looking after for a while. In an emergency I
give them my time. However, the assumption many make when they schedule
something for me WITHOUT ASKING boils my blood more than anything. Just
because I am available for you tomorrow and made time for that does NOT give you
the right to assume I will be available in three days if your own schedule changes.
Don't assume that. If you need to reschedule, please make sure that I can as well.
Some have assumed I will be available to run them to the doctor any time they see fit.
Wrong, my time is mine. Check with me first. If you need ME, then be willing to work
around MY schedule. My favors are just that, NOT obligations.
I have been scheduling more and more free time for myself. No writing, no bowling.
Just free time. Time I have missed to read or just chat with friends.
I would not have been able to do this without the help of Jamie, my assistant,
secretary and close friend. She has helped me budget my time better. This is one
big reason that my health has improved as of late. I take time to rest and relax now.
While this may seem like a rant to some, it is more of a request to ask you all to look
at your own precious gift of TIME. Remember that each passing moment can never
be replaced. I hope you all make the most of each single one.
Those of you who value money above all I would like you to look at it this way. Lets
say that at the beginning of your life you were given one million dollars to spend
however you liked. But you cannot ever get more money in any way. You can spend
the first chunks of it like water. I bet you though, that when you are down to your last
ten dollars, you will watch every penny.
Be well,
Sponge
01/09/2006
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