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2009-03-03 issue:

Web exclusive: Keeping time in the dance of life

by Jim Bishop

Print Article

Time munches on. At this stage of the game, some things that should be ingrained in my psyche I'm still learning or need reminders of (including that sentences can end with a preposition).

Here are some mental notes on everyday, recurring situations where, as "they" say, the rubber meets the road:

1. All of us have the same 24 hours in a day to accomplish things, but many of us act like everyone else has more. The busiest people seem to get the most accomplished. Writer T. Alexander Anderson has rightly observed: "I have enough time to do all that I choose to do today." Meanwhile, one of the most boorish requests going is to ask someone else to make up for your lack of planning.

2. The busiest times of the week will always be the span between going to bed Sunday night and the alarm ringing Monday morning, coffee breaks, lunch periods and watching a favorite TV show. The slowest will usually be spent in waiting rooms, at red lights and by the telephone waiting the return of an urgent message. I've learned to carry a notepad or book to settings where I expect to play the waiting game.

3. Sometimes, the quietest person in a group has the most important, profound things to say, if given the opportunity. The most loquacious is apt to keep on talking long after he's done.

4. At some point, there's little point in trying to see how many meetings and public events I can attend, how many charitable causes—however worthy—I can be involved with and how many issues I can get lathered up over.

5. In a similar vein, I stand a better chance of winning if I choose my battles very carefully, and there's no disgrace in waving a white flag if necessary.

6. Spending more time at home is a refuge, a safe harbor, with my supportive spouse providing a secure anchor and a listening ear. Together we savor visits from our daughters, their spouses and our grandchildren.

7. Electronic mail is an expedient, immediate and incredible way to send and receive messages and stay in touch with people around the block and around the world. But when was the last time you received a first-class, handwritten letter from someone? Nothing compares to it.

8. Time spent talking with a child, reading an inspirational book, listening to great music—recorded or preferably live—spending money on cut flowers, sending out "thinking of you" cards or bestowing words of praise or encouragement to someone else is never wasted.

9. The words "please" and "thank you" are so simple, yet so powerful. One can't really overuse them. But when words like "impact," "empower," "resource," "partner," "network"—especially when used as verbs—and, yes, even "missional" begin to smother our sensibilities, well ... it's time for another paradigm shift.

10. I seem to function better those days that begin with a period of prayer and end with devotional meditations (I like the Our Daily Bread guide), the pause that refreshes.

11. A sense of joy and humor and having fun are critical to personal well-being, along with regular exercise and responsible eating. I won't take myself too seriously.

12. We never know just how much a parent means to us or the extent to which we've been shaped by them until they're gone. My dad left this world ten years ago, February 1998, at age 76, yet I can't escape the feeling that the spirit of my earthly father still broods over his family. Along the way, I've had some great conversations with him. I believe with certainty that my heavenly Father watches over His creation.

13. While it may provide a measure of security and contentment to acquire more material things, they lose a lot of their meaning in light of eternity, and heightened by the current economic situation. Genuine happiness is found in cultivating relationships, in enjoying your work and other daily tasks, in feeling good about yourself and reaching out to others.

The bottom line: When my allotted time on this earth is over, the only thing I can take with me is my immortal soul.

Every day, every hour, every breath we take is a gift from God. How are we unwrapping it?

We get too soon old and too late smart, the old saw sez. That suggests the need to spend some time at the foot of a senior citizen—we’ll all be there eventually.

A wise 83-year-old woman said, "Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here, we might as well dance."

Let's boogie, even if we have two left feet.

Jim Bishop is public information officer at Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Va., a columnist, photographer and radio announcer.

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