Whenever I had a sore throat, my mother would insist that I gargle with vinegar. I, of course, thought she was nuts: Possibly, because that’s what she used to wash the Windows every Spring. You wouldn’t gargle with Windex, right? And, if the dog accidentally peed on the carpet, she blotted it up and then poured vinegar on it to prevent an odor. Crazy! But, like many things, it turns out that my mother was right. 

These days, vinegar is touted as a cure-all and credited with treating everything from warts to cancer. There is also an impressive history. Hippocrates used vinegar to treat wounds and Cleopatra dissolved precious pearls in vinegar to create a love potion. Sung Tse, the 10th century creator of forensic medicine, washed his hands washing with vinegar to avoid infection during autopsies. And vinegar “teas” were used by US medical practitioners of the late 18th century for ailments ranging from poison ivy and croup to stomach aches.

But what does the evidence say? I looked up two common health issues that affect my family. First, weight loss. In a study in Japan, 175 obese – but healthy – people took either vinegar or water every day, for 12 weeks. They ate very similar foods and kept journals. In the end, those who used vinegar had lost slightly more weight. (They gained it all back when the study was over.)

The theory is that vinegar interferes with the body’s absorption of some fats. It also seems to block the digestion of some starches, which is where the Diabetes comes in. While some studies indicate that vinegar might lower blood sugar, nobody is suggesting that you throw away your insulin. In fact, if you have a slow emptying stomach (gastroparesis), sometimes an issue for diabetics, vinegar might make it worse.

What are the drawbacks to taking vinegar? Even diluted in water, it increases the acid in your system. Some doctors feel this puts a strain on your kidneys – an important consideration if you have Diabetes. And never drink it straight. The high level of acid could harm your tooth enamel and possibly your esophagus, over time.

The most popular, recommended methods is to dilute 1 to 2 tablespoons in a big glass of water and sip it with a meal twice a day. Unfiltered apple cider vinegar is also best, but certainly not the prettiest. It’s usually cloudy and appears to have stuff floating in it, known as “the mother.” But it’s actually beneficial bacteria, including probiotics. It can reportedly boost immune function and might help with constipation.

I bought some nice cider vinegar from one of the local apple orchards. The owner’s daughter told me that her husband started taking “a shot” of vinegar daily and had noticed an immediate improvement in joint stiffness and heartburn. But I just use it on my salads, with some extra virgin olive oil.

Herbal vinegars are fun! They look pretty on the counter and are great in salad dressings. My friend and minister, Susan, formerly owned and operated an herb farm. She taught me to make herbal vinegar:

• Using the freshest herbs possible, rinse and DRY them well.
• The more herbs, the more flavor – Don’t be shy.
•  5% acidic, white vinegar is best and she never uses apple cider or balsamic. 
• Pick out pretty bottles to store it in. But never use a metal lid. Mason jars are convenient, but buy plastic tops. 
• There are no rules or steadfast recipes for herb selection – Use what you like. I prefer lots of garlic and some hot, red peppers. Sometimes I use herbs that look pretty floating in the vinegar, like dill and tarragon.

Allow to cure 2 weeks in cool, dark place. In my experience, it keeps for a really long time, even on the counter.

Now, about those squeaky clean windows…. Window cleaning with vinegar will not leave the usual film or streaks on the glass. Mix equal parts of white distilled vinegar and warm water. my mother always used crumpled newspaper instead of paper towels. Our windows were amazing!

Vinegar cubes can be made by filling an ice tray with vinegar and a little water. Run a few through the garbage disposal and then flush with cold water. It disinfects and kills odors.

White distilled vinegar can help to dissolve mineral deposits in automatic drip coffee makers. When my Keurig tells me to descale, I fill the reservoir with white distilled vinegar and run it through a brewing cycle. Rinse thoroughly with water when the cycle is finished. (Be sure to check the owner’s manual for specific instructions.)

Boil a solution of 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar and 1 cup of water in the microwave. It loosens splattered on food and deodorizes. When you’re done, pour it down the kitchen sink. It clears cogs and deodorizes the drain. Let it stand 30 minutes and flush with cold water.

Washing counter tops, cabinets and floors with white distilled vinegar deters sects, including ants, fruit flies and gnats.

Cleaning with vinegar makes stainless steel appliances shine! And, for cleaner dishes and sparkling glasses, pour 1 ½ cup to 2 cups white distilled vinegar in the bottom of dishwasher, along with regular dishwashing soap. It also removes water stains and mineral deposits.

In the bathroom, vinegar also freshens and removes stains from the shower and the toilet bowl.

You might even use some herbal vinegars for cleaning – Think lavender, citrus or pine!

Really, the possibilities are endless. And vinegar is not expensive. You can spray it, dilute it, heat it or freeze it and it’s still effective! Buy some the next time you’re at the store and let me know what you think!

  

  
Yesterday was the first day of Lent. If you subscribe to – or were raised in – a Christianity based church or other religious organization, you are no doubt familiar with the practice of giving something up for the forty days preceding Easter. As kids, giving up candy or dessert was popular. It seemed a generous sacrifice and made our parents (and our dentists) happy. But as adults, we often try to think of something that will make us better people: Or, perhaps, something that will benefit others. Even if you are not following in Jesus’ footsteps, this can be a good thing, right?

Yesterday, I missed being in church for Ash Wednesday because I was sick. However, I had lots of time to think about our Lenten traditions. For example, we tend to eat fish & chips on Fridays during Lent. This works for me, since I’m not much of a meat eater the rest of the liturgical calendar. Not much sacrifice there! 

Instead, I am going to take the Forty Day Challenge. Maybe you’ve heard of this, or some variation of it, or you might have seen it n Facebook. My challenge is this: Every day, I will find at least one item from my home to throw away and at least another, to donate to a worthy cause.

I have seven rooms in my house, if you count the bathroom and the basement. If I find three things from each room to donate and three more to throw away, I will meet the challenge with two to spare. Yesterday, I started in the kitchen. Sorting thru my canned goods and other non-refrigerated food items, there were lots of things to satisfy the throw away part. There are also some things that we just won’t use. In the cupboards, we had more mugs than two people could ever use. They’re going to the donate pile.

Looking ahead, I think I’ll tackle the living room next. We’ve got a large cabinet that’s full of “stuff” and badly in need of emptying. I’ll bet I can make a quick job of finding things to toss as well as things to give away. If not, there’s a basket filled with magazines that need to be recycled and some DVDs we don’t watch, hiding in the television stand.

I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty excited about this. Our lives are less complicated when we declutter, leaving us time for what’s really important. And those extra things we accumulate, whether canned goods or soft sweaters, will be a Godsend to someone in need. It’s a no-brainier! Even if you fall behind because you skip a couple of days, it should be easy to catch up! 

I just might fill forty bags! I hope you’ll join me!

  

  

Am I the only one who had never heard of this? Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic method of detoxing the body. It involves swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil around the inside of your mouth for 15-20 minutes, every morning. The coconut oil pulls bacteria and other toxins from the body. As the blood circulates, it passes thru the mouth and the oil does its thing. Then, you spit it into the trash (not the sink – it might clog), rinse with salt water and brush your teeth. (Be careful not to swallow it, since it contains toxins.)

Gross, right? But it has been credited with improving health – and not only in your mouth. Testimonies I read began with improved oral health – everything from teeth whitening and decreased plaque build up to regrowth of receding gums. Some even claim it heals cavities or, at least, prevents them. But the theory is that your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body. People who swear by oil pulling report less joint pain/stiffness, less sinus infections, better managed chronic pain, less migraine headaches, improved skin and increased mental alertness, among other things.

Scientifically, evidence supports the fact that fatty acids attract bacteria and pathogens. A chemical in coconut oil, called Lauric acid, is antimicrobial and antibacterial. It kills bacteria, viruses and fungi. The theory is that, in 15-20 minutes, all of the blood in your body circulates thru your mouth.

The best oil for pulling seems to be unrefined, organic, cold pressed coconut oil. Some people use different oils as well. You can even get coconut oil flavored with mint, just for this purpose (who knew?) I even came across one woman who mixes coconut with other essential oils and makes cute little dinosaur shapes, using a chocolate mold. 
Experts recommend oil pulling while you shower, fold laundry, check your eMail, or some other chore, to pass the time. If your jaw gets tired from all that swishing, take little breaks and just hold the oil in your mouth until ready to continue. I did not find any negative side effects or other risks associated with the practice – other than the initial, repulsive feeling of placing a spoonful of solidified grease in your mouth. But I plan to ask my dentist about it at my next visit.

Amazon sells books about oil pulling and the reviews of the practice are impressive. In recent years, coconut oil has received a great deal of attention for it’s potential as a healthy alternative to other oils. Maybe this is a way to enjoy the benefits without actually ingesting all those fatty calories? Something to think about!

  

  
We all know that oxygen is important for our bodies. But when cells are exposed to oxygen, it causes oxidation, which is not so good. In oxidation, our bodies’ chemicals are altered and some become what are called ‘free radicals.’ Free radicals are also caused by environmental factors, like the sun, cigarette smoke, alcohol and pollution.

Over time, free radicals can cause a chain reaction in your body that damages important body chemicals, DNA and parts of our cells. Some cells are permanently damaged. Others can heal. Scientists believe that free radicals contribute to the aging process as well as diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Antioxidants stabilize free radicals and may stop or limit the damage they cause. Antioxidants can protect and even reverse damage caused by oxidation.

Antioxidant-rich foods are high in the following nutrients:

• Vitamin A – milk, liver, butter and eggs
• Vitamin C – most fruits and vegetables, but especially papaya, strawberries, oranges, cantaloupe, kiwi, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, cauliflower, grapefruit, honeydew, mango, nectarine, snow peas, sweet potato and kale
• Vitamin E – nuts and seeds: almonds, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts and peanuts. Also avocado and green leafy vegetables, like spinach and kale, and oils, including soybean, sunflower, corn and canola.
• Beta-carotene – colorful fruits and vegetables: carrots, peas, cantaloupe, apricots, asparagus, corn, green peppers, turnip, papaya, mangoes, peaches, pumpkin, apricots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, squash, nectarines, pink grapefruit, tangerines, tomatoes, and watermelon. And some leafy green vegetables, including beet greens, spinach and kale.
• Lutein – also found in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, collards and kale, and broccoli, corn, peas, papaya and oranges.
• Lycopene – pink and red fruits and vegetables, such as grapefruit, watermelon, apricots and tomatoes.
• Selenium – cereals (corn, wheat and rice), nuts, legumes, animal products (beef, fish, turkey, chicken, eggs and cheese), bread and pasta
• Zinc – oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, seafood, whole grains, some fortified cereals and dairy products

Other foods rich in antioxidants are:

Prunes

Apples

Raisins

Plums

Red grapes

Alfalfa sprouts

Onions

Eggplant

Beans

To get the biggest benefits of antioxidants, eat these fruits and vegetables raw or lightly steamed. Don’t overcook or boil them.

Many people take vitamin and mineral supplements, but the best way to get antioxidants is by eating a healthy diet with a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seeds and nuts. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends against taking vitamin E or beta-carotene supplements for the prevention of cancer, especially if you smoke or are at high risk of lung cancer. Studies strongly suggest that it can increase the risk of lung cancer.

So, if you take a multi-vitamin supplement, be careful. Too much of some nutrients from supplements – rather than food – can be harmful, including vitamins E , A and selenium, It’s always best to consult your doctor before taking vitamin supplements.

Spices can also provide antioxidants.

  

So, it turns out that your mother was right: Eat your vegetables! To get the best variety, eat the rainbow every day. With so many good foods on the list, it’s easy peasy – A fruit smoothie for breakfast (don’t forget to add some protein), a salad for lunch with lots of veggies (and some protein) and lean meat/poultry/seafood for dinner with whole grain or fortified bread or pasta and another vegetable. For snacking, try some nuts or seeds from the list. And don’t forget to drink your tea: Green tea is a good source of antioxidants! 

  

With the recent reports about the risks of using Ibuprofen regularly, I decided to look at some alternatives. I’ve heard a lot about turmeric having anti-inflammatory properties. If you don’t have any in your cupboard, turmeric is a yellow spice often used preparing Indian foods. Here’s what I found.
Turmeric is made with curcumin, a compound that has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.. It also contains polyphenol, which is credited with many health benefits. With just a teaspoon of turmeric a day, you will reportedly be better able to prevent pain, inflammation and even cancer. Some health professionals say turmeric is also good for your brain because it “can cross the blood-brain barrier and bind with plaque, which can delay or reverse certain brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.”
The only adverse side effect I could find was that turmeric can be difficult for some to digest. It was suggested that this is easily remedied by adding a little black pepper to it.
Some herbalists believe that black pepper improves turmeric by making smaller doses more effective. Add about 1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper to 1/4 cup of turmeric for best results.
A study published in the journal Alternative and Complementary Medicine reported a clinical trial was done with 109 patients who suffered from osteoarthritis of the knee. Some patients were given 800 mg of ibuprofen, while others received 2000 mg of turmeric daily, for six weeks. They tracked their pain while doing several different activities, including walking and climbing stairs. The patients taking the turmeric had better results, showing greater performance and a higher level of satisfaction than the ibuprofen group.
While Turmeric has been known as a safe and natural pain killer for centuries. And it’s inexpensive. Here are some of the other claims:

• Antiseptic / antibacterial properties, for disinfecting wounds and burns (applied as a paste)
• Prevention of cancer and preventing further development in existing cancers, including prostate, breast, thyroid, colon and melanoma: Preliminary studies found that curcumin can inhibit tumor cell growth and suppress enzymes that activate carcinogens.
• Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia
• Cleanses the liver 
• May slow or prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease by destroying accumulated amyloidosis in the brain
• Natural remedy against pain
• Regulates metabolism and helps to lose weight
• In China, turmeric is used as a cure for depression
• Treats arthritis 
• Helps in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis 
• Relieves colds and respiratory symptoms

It’s recommended that we buy organic ground turmeric or fresh turmeric root from the produce section (found in natural food stores, like Whole Foods). Otherwise, we might get a product that has been chemically enhanced or treated with conventional pesticides.
There are numerous recipes out there using turmeric. I’ve selected a few simple ones to try myself and will share them here! Previously, I’ve blogged about tea, honey, soup, salads and roasted vegetables – Turmeric can be used to improve the benefits of all of these!

1. Turmeric Tea: Bring 1 cup of water to a boil and stir in ¼ teaspoon of ground turmeric or fresh grated turmeric. Simmer for 10 minutes and strain. Stir in a little honey or fresh lemon juice for added flavor.
2. Turmeric latte: Heat 1 cup of milk (dairy or non) in a sauce pan. Add ½ teaspoon turmeric, ½ tablespoon ginger and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract. Over medium-high heat, whisk vigorously until frothy and slightly thickened. Do not allow to boil. Sweeten with a little honey or maple syrup, if desired.
3. Curry Powder: 8 parts ground coriander, 4 parts ground cumin and 1 part each of turmeric and cayenne pepper or paprika. (Decrease the cayenne and use paprika instead if you don’t want it spicy). Store in a glass container in your pantry for up to 6 months. Use in sauces or as a rub.
4. Roasted Veggies: Toss some fresh vegetables with a dash of olive oil and turmeric, along with any other seasonings you like. Roast at 400 degrees, tossing once until done, usually about 30-40 minutes. 
5. Cold Remedy: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground turmeric with 7 tablespoons of raw honey (this is known as Golden Honey). Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of this mixture in your mouth every 3-4 hours. 
6. Easy Peasy method: Sprinkle or shake some turmeric in your smoothie, on your salad and in your soup! Small amounts will add no flavor (but might add a hint of yellow!) Experiment to find what works best for you! 

  

I’ve been thinking about all the places in my life where music lives. From infancy, when our parents sing us lullabies, music is a source of comfort. Who, as a teenager, hasn’t found consolation in the words of a song after a breakup? On the flip side, love songs seem to define our relationship when things are rosy. Every couple chooses ‘their’ song to celebrate the first dance of marriage.

For me, music has always been the biggest and best part of worship. On Sunday mornings, you’ll find me in the choir pew. Several years ago, when our choir director/ organist left abruptly, we suffered thru exactly one service without music. It was unbearable. That same week, my choir mates and I gathered at the home of a soprano who also played piano. I blew the dust off my guitar and we put together a service. I’m sure that the sound was less than enchanting that first Sunday. But people graciously encouraged us and, as the weeks passed, we developed a repertoire of hymns and were even invited to perform at a fundraiser at a nearby church.

We pay good money to attend concerts. Ask anyone – They can instantly recount their first concert – and probably most of the other concerts they’ve attended. We collect records, CDs and downloaded tunes. Soundtracks from our favorite Broadway shows and movies keep the memories of our favorite stories alive for decades. We learn to play instruments as young people. Later, we go out dancing to music with friends. In our cars, driving alone, we become instant rock stars, singing along with the radio. We workout to our best playlist. When we die, our families lovingly choose hymns with which to say good bye.
Music has power. It transports us thru time, back to our most cherished memories. It helps us to escape our current situation and forget our troubles. With music, we remember. We celebrate. We motivate ourselves. We pray. We heal. We move forward and leave people behind. We say goodbye. Music seeps into every layer of our lives. It is woven into the very fabric of our lives.

Recently, I saw a little meme that proclaimed that music is the only thing that uses every part of our brains. I don’t know if that’s true, but it would make sense. We seem to have a biological connection to music. It’s in our blood. It’s in our hearts. Whether you prefer classical, rock, top 40, jazz or bluegrass, there is something for everybody and every mood. 

So, no matter what you’re feeling – Happiness, sadness, grief, desperation, meditation – Find your song. And live it.

  
I love Mr. Rogers but I have to disagree. Playtime is an important part of adulthood, too. It’s relief from serious living. I learned early on that a few hours of silliness with my girlfriends could erase a month of stress brought on by the rigors of running a household and raising children. We called it Ladies’ Night and took turns hosting. There was junk food, cocktails and games, like Pictionary. Sometimes, there was a theme: Prom night, June Cleaver night, Country-Western-Spanish-Colonial night (to reflect the decor of the home the hostess was renting). We took our show on the road and all dressed as doctors or nurses when a friend was hospitalized with a serious illness. Planned or impromptu – For a few precious hours, we ditched the kids and husbands, the housework and the responsibilities, and just played. It changed my life.

Eventually, our kids grew up. We returned to the workforce. Marriages failed. Tragedies occurred. Parents died. Grandkids were born. But the one thing that remained constant was Ladies’ Night. Together, we suffered the losses of husbands, homes, jobs and even children. The worse things were, the more determined we became: Ladies’ Night would make it better. And it did. It saved my life.
These days, we have taken it to a higher level. In addition to our regular evenings, we have overnights and an entire weekends devoted to playing. Our list of games has broadened.  Nowadays, it’s really good food that we lovingly prepare and serve to one another. There are gourmet Jello-shots with lots of whipped cream. We wear our favorite pajamas and watch Mama Mia and Bridesmaids. We laugh – A lot. We cry when needed. We sing. We dance. Most importantly, we celebrate one another. We recognize that life is sometimes hard, often chaotic but always precious. No matter what, we face it together. And we play. That’s what friends are for.

My hope for each and every one of you is that you have such friends: Call it a posse, your tribe, the gang. If it has been a while, reconvene. Find a way to make it happen on a more regular basis. Life is too short to go it alone. Even if you have only one good friend, you can do this. Laugh. Cry. Celebrate. Most important: Make time to Play! 

  

I logged onto Pinterest for fifteen minutes and two hours went by. I don’t know if that happens to anybody else. Somehow, there is a time warp built into the app. Honestly..

It’s a wonderful thing, this Internet. Everywhere you look, there’s evidence that there really is something for everyone. Just try Google. Go ahead – Enter the most ridiculous thing you can think of in the search engine. You’ll get hundreds of suggested websites! Pinterest is kind of like that, only you don’t have to enter anything absurd. The app provides all sorts of ideas, photos and mind-bending DIY projects. All you have to do is click your mouse!

Here are some of the outrageous items I’ve come across recently. Seriously. Things like this are simply too good to keep to myself. I just had to share.

Giant pine cone lawn ornaments made from shovels: Why?

  

I don’t even know what to say about this…   

Proof that some people should not reproduce. Just get a hamster and call it a day:

 

Advertised to “keep your pets busy.” I wasn’t aware that they were in need of a hobby.

 

If someone I knew wore this, I might have to slap them. (And I like Oprah.)

I have no words for this, except MC Hammer meets Bread Gloves:

   
Of course, there are loads of useful things in Pinterest, too. For example: Recipes, decorating ideas, inspirational quotes and party themes. But, like any bargain worth searching for, it can be an adventure-filled excursion. 
Where else can you find bacon flavored baby formula? (Perhaps the question should be, Why would you want to?)

  

  
One of these days, I’m going to get organized.

How many times have you heard that? I hear it often – From my own mouth. And I’ve tried, truly I have. When I retired, I had this vision of going thru my house and “organizing” every closet, drawer and cabinet. Then, I could enjoy my time because I would be organized! Ha!

The problem with organizing is that it only stays that way for a short period of time. It’s not so much a task as it is a way to live.

Last year, I emptied our bathroom closet. There were several bags of trash. There were unused linens to be donated or retired to the rag bag. I went to The Container Store and bought cute little matching bins with adorable coordinating labels. It was a work of art and I was proud. I was organized! ….. I was living in a fantasy world. Fast forward. These days, there is toothpaste in the shampoo bin. Towels on the sheet shelf. And God-only-knows-what behind the hamper.

But I have not given up the eternal hope that I will, one day, be organized. Perhaps we need to adjust the words: I will be more organized. That sounds a bit more reasonable, right? Baby steps.

My reason for wanting to be organized is clear: I will have more of that precious commodity known as time. What I am really saying is that I am willing to trade the time I spend frantically looking for things. In return, I will spend more time putting things away properly. In the end, this trade off might save a lot of time. It will, however, make life better.

Mentally, a feeling of organization leads to a calm mind. A cluttered environment leads to a chaotic mind.

But, where do we begin? To say it’s overwhelming is clearly an understatement. Today, I am choosing one area for improvement – Meal planning. At our house, schedules are so variable that it’s just not possible to plan dinner. My husband works nights. Sometimes. I have activities in the early evening many weeknights. He eats red meat. I don’t. The result is helter-skelter meals that require double the prep and clean-up. It’s not always the healthiest meal, either, being more of a convenience or last minute grab.

I turned to Pinterest for help and found a way to prepare up to ten meals ahead, for the freezer. They’re all chicken, which works for us: Maybe not consecutive nights, but a few times a week! The ingredient lists are short and consist of many things you probably already have in the cupboard. Best of all, the directions include both oven and crockpot methods. They’re easily adjusted to be gluten-free, if that floats your boat.

How will this help? For starters, I’ll save time thinking about dinner and running to the store for last minute items. We won’t need to prepare two separate meals at two different times and then clean up twice, after each of us eats. And it’s bound to be more consistently healthy. The trade off: About an hour of preparation. Not a bad deal!

I might try adding some potatoes to some of the recipes. Otherwise, adding rice or pasta along with a frozen vegetable or salad, makes a complete meal! Easy peasy!

 
Chicken Dump Meals

Gather your ingredients.

Label freezer bags with a sharpie. Include name of recipe and directions.

Prop the bags upright on the counter and fold the tops over.

Place chicken in each bag. I’ll use boneless, skinless breasts, 4 each.

Following each recipe, dump the remaining ingredients in each bag.

Squeeze out excess air, seal and lay flat in the freezer.

If you want to save even more time, use crockpot liners – No clean up!

Double up and you’ll have ten meals at your fingertips!

Enjoy!

 

 

 

  
I’ve been thinking a lot lately – about time. A formidable topic for a short blog, but I’m going to take a run at it. I’m feeling ambitious. It’s Monday morning and a brand new month. We’re half way thru the worst of winter and thirty-one days into a new year. 

People often comment about how busy I am. Truly, I have opened a lot of doors and started down many a path. Writing every day is one of them. But I am doing so many things, that there is not enough time to become proficient at any of them. That leads to frustration. Like the proverbial hamster in a wheel, the harder I work, the more stagnant I become. If only I had more time. If only there more hours in a day, days in a week..

How many times have we felt this way? But the calendar is unforgiving: Seven days, 24 hours each. That’s what we’ve got. If you’re working, there are even less hours for you to balance the rest of your life. In some ways, I think I was better at time management when I worked. Maybe, it was because there was so much less of it to manage. 

For me, it’s all about priorities. If you don’t have any, then you’re not busy. If you have too many, well, then you’re like me. So, what’s the solution? 

I’ve tried portioning out my week, giving certain tasks time allotments. I vowed to write three days a week, practice the fiddle four days a week, dance twice a week, see my dad once a week, organize my meet-up group events twice a month and brush up on photography twice a week. That worked – For about five days. 

Back to the drawing board. Back to giving precedence. Ask yourself, “What is most important to me?” Do you run every day for health or for sanity? Do you wish to spend more time with an elderly parent or an ailing friend? Have you been beating yourself up about the condition of your house? We all face these dilemas. We all complain about not having enough time. 

Time might be part of the issue. But I am taking the stance that it’s not about time. It’s about priorities. It’s about our decision to take time for something that’s really important. It might mean sacrificing something else. That’s the hard part – at least for me. I want it all.

Here’s what I’ve decided. Priorities are not fixed. They can change from week to week or month to month. But something has to be given the right of way. For me, it has been my writing. I went away overnight on retreats to write with no distractions. I joined a meet-up group that met locally, several times a week, to write. I got so much accomplished! It felt really good. That is, until I had my fiddle lesson. Not much improvement there. And our living room still has a bare wall, where the new love seat belongs – The one I haven’t shopped for yet. But that’s okay. Look at all the writing I got done!

So, today I will stop using “I’m too busy” as an excuse. I will make time and take time for what I deem to be most important. Smaller increments of time are less overwhelming. Besides, the only guarantee is right now. 

What matters most to you today? Do you have a long list of things you need to do? Want to do? You know what mine looks like. But today, my list is going to be shorter – Just one day.    

Then, tomorrow, I’ll do it again. 

I can live with that!