The gift of time #WordsMatter
December is here and that means it is a time for celebrations, of giving and sharing. And there is so much to do because Christmas is almost here. I can’t believe that this year is almost over- this year that brought along a lot of changes in my life is almost over. While I begin to think about it all, if there is one gift that I really wish to receive, it would be the gift of time.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to live forever. The current book I’m reading or rather listening to on Audible – “How to stop time?” by Matt Haig has taught me otherwise. The book deals with the story of Tom who ages very slowly and hence is capable of living for centuries. So no, I don’t want to live forever.
The gift that I want to receive is to be able to savour every moment and live every moment- that is the kind of gift of time that I want. With the current pace of life, it has become difficult to really live life and enjoy it to the fullest. I have often asked myself if I could do something and go back in time. I have asked myself if I could hit reset.
While I know that it isn’t possible to go back in time or to slow time and that everyone is blessed with only twenty-four hours in a day, I really wish I had a magic wand to organize my time so that I could live better. With unrealistic deadlines and extended hours of work it is difficult to plan better and have a schedule to stick to. So I just wish I could plan my time better.
I wish I could have that time to go regularly for that morning walk that I always want to go. I wish I could spend more time with my family. I wish I could find the time for sitting down and reading a book for as long as I want to. I wish I could find the time to travel as much as I would love to. I wish I could meet all those friends who have all had a role to play in my life in all those years of growing up and being who I am today but adulting has made it difficult to meet. I wish I could find the time to learn that new instrument that I have been meaning to learn since a long time now. I wish, I wish, I wish – the list goes on.
But what I really want from the gift of time, is to appreciate the time I have and to live each moment by being fully alive. I wish to appreciate all those little moments, scattered throughout the day that have brought joy to me- the ones that bring a smile on my face even on a really bad day. And those moments of quiet solitude, which are hard to come by which make them all the more special. I want to live life and not merely exist. There are so many things that I want to do, I wish I could do at least a few of those and make a difference.
And if I had a gift of time that I could really have, I’d give it to my dad and wish he could be with me longer. But otherwise, I only wish that life would slow down a little, to let me breathe and not having to feel overwhelmed on waking up each morning.
I’m leaving you with a few lines from “How to Stop time” by Matt Haig.
“And, just as it only takes a moment to die, it only takes a moment to live. You just close your eyes and let every futile fear slip away. And then, in this new state, free from fear, you ask yourself: who am I? If I could live without doubt what would I do? If I could love without fear of being hurt? If I could taste the sweetness of today without thinking of how I will miss that taste tomorrow? If I could not fear the passing of time and the people it will steal? Yes. What would I do? Who would I care for? What battle would I fight? Which paths would I step down? What joys would I allow myself? What internal mysteries would I solve? How, in short, would I live?”― Matt Haig, How to Stop Time
If you could ask for a gift, what would that be?
I received this tag from Menaka who blogs at Simple Indian Mom. It’s my pleasure to pass on this tag to Keerthi who blogs at Thoughts Thru Lens. There are 25 of us on this Blog Hop and it will be spread over 3 days – 6th, 7th and 8th December 2019. Do follow the #WordsMatter Blog Hop and prepare to be surprised!
Our posts are uncannily similar, Reema! Love those lines from Matt Haig. That’s a book I want to read this year. Thank you for sharing!
Yes, they are. Even I was surprised when I read the post. Thank you for reading.
relishing every moment of life is something we forget in the pursuit of worldly excesses. I came to understand the importance of time when I had rushed my dad to hospital after he complained of chest pain, we went as quickly as we could yet, the doctor said if only you had come a few minutes earlier – every moment counts! Would love to read the book!!
Indeed every moment counts. And we often realize this when it is too late. Thank you for reading.
So true, Reema! I agree it is the dearth of time that seems to be the bane of our lives! So much to do, and so little time. I lost my dad a month back and much though I had wished, I couldn’t be with him to spend time during his last days. I was caught up with so many responsibilities that I so wish I hadn’t had then…but now, after losing him, I suddenly realise what it means to spend the precious moments with our loved ones. None of us will be around forever, so why not be with those who really matter?
Indeed. It is important for us to be with the people who matter the most. Sorry for your loss Esha. Thank you for reading.
I agree with you! So many of us want more time – but are we doing justice to the time we have?
Yes, that is a question we need to ask ourselves everyday. Thank you for reading.
To be able to live every moment, yes, that would make a brilliant gift. I would like that too, and yeah, it’s something I oughta gift myself I think. I enjoyed your musings, Reemz.
Yes, all of us need reminders to live in the moment without being haunted by the memories of past or worrying about what lies in the future. Thank you Vinay.
I want to go back in time. I could have done so many things differently! Alternate universes and all. But yeah, as of now being content with life is on top priority these days.
That book is going in my TBR.
It seems like time is running away from us but actually it is we who are running all the time. All we have to do is slow down a little bit, to be more mindful and calm in order to live each moment fully. Your post is a great reminder to do that.
Agree with you. Most of the time we just survive each day, days just come and end, we make little or no efforts to make every day count. If only we could value each moment and savor it. Thanks for the reminder, Reema.
Interesting musings Reema – I think we all yearn for more time but forget to cherish the time we already have in hand. I was reading Shailja’s post on insta on dont be in a hurry to do everything. Maybe you ought to take a look at it. Focus on 1-2 things at a time and trust me you will start to do things you enjoy and enjoy what you are doing. I dont mean to be all preachy but reading your post made me feel as if you want to do too much at the same time. Breathe and enjoy what you are doing right now. Hugs 🙂
This is so true, Reema. The best gift is to enjoy each moment in life and live it to the fullest.
Your post reminds me of a poem my mom used to recite to me when I was young :
TIME, you old gipsy man,
Will you not stay,
Put up your caravan
Just for one day?
All things I’ll give you
Will you be my guest,
…
Time, you old gipsy,
Why hasten away?
That is so true. Sometimes, I feel like I have all the time in the world, if only I can learn to manage it better. Love that quote from Matt Haig’s book.