We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives. – Maya Angelou
Day 12’s message emphasizes our individual rhythms and the importance of following our own sleep and activity patterns for optimal well-being. Problems can occur when we impose our personal time preferences on others. Today’s practice encourages us to be mindful of our unique perception of time and fosters an understanding of others’ perspectives.
We’ve all likely experienced frustration when our friends or family deviate from our schedule, whether by falling behind or rushing around excessively, or perhaps by sleeping in too late. Honoring our time management approach equips us to respect others’ approaches as well. This practice also offers a valuable opportunity for conscious communication, a core value at Swell. When we communicate intentionally and clearly express our goals, it increases the likelihood that everyone understands the shared objective and what’s required from each person to achieve it.
Personally, I used to experience a sense of imbalance when plans were made, tasks were delegated, and events deviated from expectations. In these instances, whether due to unforeseen delays or unpreparedness, I would occasionally become irritated or frustrated, particularly if someone else was responsible for the disruption. However, I have since come to understand that events unfold naturally. Reacting negatively merely trapped me in an adverse state, impeding my capacity to recover swiftly and devise solutions to the issue.
When I started considering time as a fluid concept, I became less rigid in my approach to it.
Do I still prefer punctuality? Yes, but I recognize that unforeseen circumstances can arise, beyond anyone’s control, and that no one is to blame. This is when qualities like patience, compassion, and understanding come into play. When we extend forgiveness to ourselves, it becomes easier to extend it to others, and that’s when our respect for the people in our lives truly shines. So, in line with today’s theme, “My Time, Your Time, and Our Time,” let’s continue to understand that unforeseen factors can always influence our plans, and each of us is constantly striving to do our best.
Leave us a comment and tell us what you think of today’s post as well the overall experience so far! This is the last meditation experience of 2017 hosted by Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey via the Chopra Center Meditation organization. It began on October 30th and we’re really excited with the theme: Making Every Moment Matter.
