Taking the Time

It's an interesting fact that most of us will spend our lives trading dollars for hours. It is one of the more interesting resources which *we* own. Think about it. How much time do we actually have to trade, barter or sell? The obvious answer is that none of us know for sure. That being said, makes our usual response all the more curious in regards in how we treat our time. Though I'd like to be able to say otherwise, the truth is I can be pretty good at taking my time for granted.

Thinking about my own behavior, here are a few places that I can get stuck:

Watching the News (which really isn't news) as opposed to sharing more time with Deb and the kids. Last night, I turned the TV off and taught my oldest daughter to play "whole lotta love," by Led Zeppelin. That was fun and I think she appreciated it.

Getting bogged down in negative feelings. Worry and procrastination are terrific time wasters that can have the double whammy of undermining self-esteem.

Getting so caught up in distractions, that I do not take the time to do Zazen. While I'm being the very busy business person, I can be the very lazy Zen Buddhist from time to time. There is a real value to formal practice.

Being unmindful. The times that I am unmindful are the same times that I am not organized and paying attention to detail. Oddly enough that is when I really waste not only time but my energy as well. I notice that when I have even a slightly loose plan or strategy for dealing with situations, things tend to go so much better that if I'm being random and shooting from the hip.

Sharing some of the above scenarios is not my way of saying, "Jaye's a schlep," but rather pointing out that time is precious. As Bassui said, "if not now, when will you come to enlightenment?" Or put another way, are we waiting for the next lifetime to get enlightened or could we get this thing done now? Which would you prefer?

The Clock is ticking.

Namaste'

Jaye Morris, Curator
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