The most important task of the day

Time is running out you say? The most important task of the day remains unfinished? And now someone else pops into the office, desperately in need of a few minutes.
As one busy person to another, we offer understanding, patience, but most important of all, listening.
I may never get a handle on the day. But if I can ease someone else's burden, it is enough.

Yesterday I was able to help a man who recently accepted custody of a niece who had been neglected and abused. I gave the unemployed man the best gift I could think of as the baby toddled around us: I listened. I looked at the pictures he proffered of this child before the courts intervened and I cried.

"Yes, I'll hold."

Just when you think you've accomplished some task and can cross it off the list for good, something happens to set things back. Next thing you know, you lose 2 hours rectifying something you thought was history.

Have you ever had something you take for granted suddenly demand hours to get it back on track? Here is an example. I called my phone provider about a feature on my plan and discovered that they had not received my electronuc fund transfer to pay the bill on time. It turns out that my bank puts a paper check in the SNAIL MAIL when I ask the funds be sent from my account. But I know my bank deducts those funds the minute I request that bill be paid. The kind operator explained that it can take up to FIVE days for the money to arrive at their desk from the date on the check!
"I had no idea that you weren't getting the funds electronically shortly after I send them," I said. "So the bank is using my money during that float. That doesn't seem ethical. ...Yes, I'll hold."
Kindly, the phone company credited back the late fees. They suggested that if I continue to use my bank'sbill pay system that I send the payments a week earlier.
Another phone call to my bank and more time being transferred and on hold verified that the bank uses a third party to cut checks and mail them as part of my "electronic" bill pay service.So I canceled the payments and set up a new system directly with the phone carrier via credit  card.
And there went an hour that I had not planned on spending.

I refuse to let this time drain get me down. I accomplished something. Life is full of such tasks. Slowly, the wheels of our lives grind forward even when we doubt. Perhaps my kindness to the phone operator will translate in a further kindness to someone else in her life. Her kindness to me helped me be patient with the next faceless employee I dealt with at my bank.

Enjoy the minute.

Time! Hold on a minute there! Give me a coupla seconds, will ya? What's your hurry ?
Little Miss-tMinute. Where are you rushing to? Don't run from me! I won't harm you.  Where is the fire that you must leave me so quickly?
Oops. Another minute slipped into oblivion.  Well, missed minute, you certainly had your nerve! I had the illusion that we would enjoy our 60 seconds together. But no, you sneaked past me again without a backward glance, and I am left holding the lists of things to do, knowing I have not enough time to do them.
Oh wait! Here comes a friend of yours! And this minute looks a little friendlier. Perhaps he will stay with me long enough to enjoy a cup of coffee...

Fall

Colors from fall.
f
 a
  l
   l
     i
      n
        g
Cascading
Arching
Dancing
A last gasp of breath as they leave their tree
leaving
     leaving

leaves.

Time to be gentle

Okay. It's after five and time to wrap up another work day. I didn't get half the stuff done that I hoped to achieve.  Can I be okay with that?

I started with the very important things this morning, and got two of those items crossed off the lengthy list. Why do the undone items nag me still? I need a pep talk: "Celebrate the success, and recognize that unrealistic expectations can drive one to burnout. Be at peace with what is done and what is not."
May you be gentle with yourself. 

Another day

You're physically exhausted and the meeting ran late, but you come home to discover the sheets in the washer and the bed stripped to the mattress. Somewhere you have to find the energy to put it back together.
Busy people are used to squeezing in one more thing.
"If you want something done, ask a busy person."
The old saying is still true today.
So take that deep breath, and do one more thing before you crash for the night.
Enjoy your rest! Tomorrow is another day.

"I need a favor."

Have you got time to do someone a favor?
Busy people don't have such luxuries, but we take them all the time anyway.
The old saying, "If you want something done, ask a busy person!" is too true in real life.
Of course I can get up an hour earlier than usual to give someone a lift to the airport.  And rather than groan as I roll out of bed, I feel grateful for the timer on the coffee pot that offers me the opportunity to have a piping hot cup waiting for me as I stumble into the kitchen.
The secret of being happy while being busy just might be in looking for the uplifting angles on each task.
So take the time to help someone out! And look for the part of it that buoys your boat.