Why does inspiration strike in the shower? It happens to me every time. I can spend the morning wracking my brain for an idea or struggling with not feeling good about a project. Then, when my time is expended and I have to get ready for my work day, I get in the shower and BAM! brilliant insight hits.

OK you may say, “Carol, why don’t you just shower first thing when you wake up?” That’s a sensible idea and I don’t like it.

Ultimately, what happens is I run around dripping looking for the closest writing implement to jot down my brilliant idea – and hope like heck that when I am able to read it later it all makes sense. 

This is followed by frustration of not being able to work on the Brilliant Idea and I always think, “I just wish I had more time.”

Time is not measured by clocks but by moments

If time wasn’t actually measured by clocks, why do we have clocks? Honestly, I understand the sentiment, “it’s moments that make our life meaningful and memorable” and I believe that. My memories are linked by the moments that moved me.

I’m not one of those people that has a photographic memory nor am I a person that can remember specific days or chains of activities. My memories are more like flash cards – these sights, smells and feelings that strike me: laughing while making cookies with my children – the vanilla and brown sugar taste, the cookie dough texture and their smiling faces when I give them a scoop of raw dough on a teaspoon. 

Or swinging as a child: my hands being chafed by the rope, the sunlight trickling through the leaves, the wind in my hair and my heart racing as I pumped my legs and tried to swing higher.

The time I have spent on this planet is marked by these intense bursts of joy (and sometimes pain.)

The Trouble is, you think you have time.

-Buddah

The problem is that we feel like we have so much time when we’re young we learn how to waste it. Wasting time becomes a habit and then suddenly you’re mid-life and time becomes precious. You’re looking around wondering, “Where did the time go?” Unfortunately, some years only had a handful of memorable moments… and they have somehow still blipped by.

Time is what we want most and what we use worst – William Penn

Now that I am facing time crunch, I plan my time better. Don’t think for a moment I don’t waste time anymore – because I do – I just limit the amount of time I allow myself to waste on a daily basis. Instead, I create blocks of time that I plan to accomplish my personal goals and stick as closely to my schedule as possible. I work daily to improve my good habits. 

However, when I’m with family and friends, I make a mental note to disregard distractions as much as possible. I let my personal goals take a back seat and I focus on who I’m with and how I feel and am actively creating more memorable moments. 

My technique to actively create memories with my kids: Make plans, follow recipes, share memories, and discuss the possible future. 

Having More Time

Yes, my inspiration for creating “More Time” was this idea that time is running out; time on this earth and especially time with loved-ones. I want to grab these moments with both hands and hold on tight. 

I have this idea that I may not be able to create “More Time” in my life but I can make that time better.

Time is not refundable, use it well.

-Me