The Gift of Time

I woke up to snow today.  Since I live in South Carolina that usually means that my yoga class will be cancelled.  My day has just changed direction and I have unexpected time off in my day.  And yep, that’s exactly what happened.  Right as I was about to leave my house, I got word that the class was indeed cancelled and I could stay home.  I wouldn’t have to get on the slick roads with all the other drivers that rarely drive in the snow.  I wouldn’t have to hope that I didn’t hit any ice on my way to and from the gym.  I could stay safe and warm in my house.  Now, what to do with my unexpected time off?

As someone who thrives on a bit of schedule, unexpected changes are not always  welcome.  It might take me a few minutes to adjust to the new schedule or direction that life just took, but give me a bit of time & I’ll be fine.

I find I make the adjustment to my schedule better if I take a mental pause.  Let it soak in that what I thought was happening isn’t and that I now have a chance to change my day.  So, that’s what I did.  I paused to consider the change and to think about the possibilities that could come from that change.  Then I moved forward with my day.

Since I also work from home, this snowy morning I chose to get my work done earlier rather than later in the day.  I decided to spend the time that I would have been at class on things that I need to get done for my business.  This gave me more free time to relax this afternoon.

I look at times like today as the unexpected ‘Gift of Time’.   As much as I don’t look forward to last minute changes in my schedule, I absolutely love it when I get the unexpected Gift of Time.  I will immediately think about all of the possibilities.  Maybe I’ll just rest.  Maybe I’ll do something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.  Maybe I’ll take a few minutes to exercise.  Maybe I’ll cook something that I didn’t think I had time to cook.  The list could go on & on.

In the end, it’s about the ability to take a few unexpected minutes in my day to do something unexpected.  It’s a good reminder to myself that life doesn’t always have to go as planned.  I can get so wrapped up in my schedule that I forget to take a few minutes to be spontaneous in my life.

I’m not one to sit around wondering what to do with myself.  I always have way more things that I want to do than what I have time to fit into a single day.  This means that free time is always filled up.  I don’t have time to be spontaneous because I’ve already figured out my day.

The unexpected Gift of Time is my reminder that I can change my plans without my life falling apart.  I can enjoy some spontaneity in my life and all will be okay.

It also comes down to choices.  I have the choice to just fill up this free time with work.  I also have the choice to find something fun &/or relaxing to do.  I think I’m going to choose to get my work done earlier and then have some free time this afternoon.  I haven’t decided what I’ll do in that free time.  Again, my mind is full of possibilities.  But, it’s okay to not know what I plan to do this afternoon.  It’s okay to see how I feel at that time and then just roll with it.  It is a gift after all.  It’s mine to enjoy however I see fit.  The unexpected Gift of Time!