The Hit List - Time Hoarding

Last night, Dad turned up in my dreams. (For the record, I rarely dream but when I do, it’s usually silly stuff, premonitions or dead people.)

In this dream, Dad and I were in some sort of rock and roll museum, signing papers for a fan list. We came home and grabbed the mail – lo and behold, there were glossy newsletters from The Beatles and The Monkees waiting for him. Dad seemed very impressed and was showing them off to the family.

Now let me add something here – Dad HATED rock and roll. He had a special dislike for the Beatles (I wasn’t a fan either but that’s another story). Back in my teenage days, Dad often predicted that “rock and roll was out” and “polka was making a comeback”. Yeah…..right, old man (come to think of it, Dad might enjoy Gogol Bordello….hmmmm.).

This dream was a reminder that he’s been gone almost 4 years. That’s hard for me to believe at times.

I looked at my calendar and THIS year is almost over. Where did that time go?

I think about time a lot, especially since my parents passed away. Losing them brought home the reality that my time on earth is finite. In fact, my life may well be half over.

I have an expiration date.

While that may sound like I’m being dramatic or macabre, it’s not like that at all. It’s actually a sobering and liberating thought.

I recognize that my time is very valuable because it’s the one thing that is not permanent. Death is my only guarantee. This makes me kind of greedy for my time.

I want to savor (hoard) every moment.

That means:

being present, deeply present in every nanosecond
honoring other people’s time by being prompt and reliable
banishing people who don’t respect mine (I have little tolerance for lateness)
doing more of what I enjoy, less of what feels like a drag
making every moment count
telling my loved ones that I love them every single day

I don’t want to waste one more moment of my precious time doing anything that feels negative, unhappy, draining, or boring.

While I don’t know how long I actually have (Dad lived to be a ripe and feisty 94), I know this: I’m not Dr. Who. I can’t stop time so I’m going to make the most of what is left.

How do you feel about time? What are the things you want to do with your time? What time wasters are you ready to release?

That’s Dad at 93. Now does that look like a man who’d be into rock music? (Wanted to add that the last time he showed up in my dreams, he was wearing a Coogi sweater. Maybe he’s getting hip on the other side?)

Other stuff:

Yesterday, this tweet by Tiphani Montgomery caught my eye: “I hate when people say don’t burn bridges. If someone means you know (sic) good, my bridge gets burnt…TO A CRISP!” I love that so much. I’m down with iron clad boundaries and no one does it better than Tiphani. I had the pleasure to work with her and I will tell you this: if you need to grow a pair, this is the coach you want to hire. I highly recommend her. She doesn’t bullshit around.

I’m a huge Game of Thrones fan but I don’t think I’ll be watching the porno spoof, Game of Bones. It did make me giggle though.

I dig photography of old buildings. This series of abandoned homes by Niki Feijen is both eerie and beautiful. I found myself imagining the families that lived in these places – and the reasons why they left. Really cool.

The sassy bitches over at The Middle Finger Project always make me laugh – and think. I LOVE this post from Jessica Manuzak: Adultery Saturdays – Words of “Wisdom” That You Need To Ignore

Congrats to my homegirl, Alexandra Franzen, for the release of her new book: 50 Ways to Say You’re Awesome. This is a MUST have!

I LOVE this gorgeous dress from anthropologie but don’t know if I have the body for it. I’m short waisted and don’t think I can pull this off. Oh well, I’ll admire from afar. You should too.

What I’m Grateful For:

The time I have right now

A week ahead of fancy mother daughter stuff

Good company

Mindful clients

People who make the effort

Honesty

Having a support system that really cares

Great health

Soundtrack for 10/12/13: Hazy Shade of Winter by The Bangles (one of my favorite songs about time – plus young Robert Downey Jr!)