Creating a Charmed Life #5: “Call a truce with the clock”
Posted by Michelle on June 2, 2008
Good Monday morning!
I think today, Monday…the beginning of the week, is the perfect day for a charmed life – don’t you? It has been awhile. The chapter I chose to write about today called ‘Call a truce with the clock’ felt very apropos because I have always felt that time expanded to my needs. In fact, on my daily to-do list I write it out to remind me when my list is looking full, ‘Time expands to meet my needs.’
Here’s what Victoria Moran has to say about ‘time’:
“There is plenty of time, and when you act on this assumption, time stretches.”
“Our relationship to time is, in part, subjective. We say, ‘The time flew by’ and also, ‘Time stood still.’ Along with giving it wings and feel we give time tremendous power.” Victoria goes on to say that, “Time intimidates us because we realize that it is the true currency of a lifetime, and no body knows how to create more of it.”
I know what she means. We are linear beings unlike some of the aliens where there is no past, present or future. And…luckily some of them can literally go back in time. Go through a wormhole and you might not know what time period you will end up in. But for us Humans, the only way we can get more time is to stretch it. Here is some simple steps that Victoria suggests:
“Decide you have time for what’s important. This includes rest, leisure, and do-nothing time. Once you make that decision you’ll chart your days differently. You’ll say no to the extraneous. You won’t let a long-winded stranger, friend, or salesperson steal time from you.”
I like this one because, and Doug will attest to this, I sooo want to just be and do-nothing but it is challenging for me doing just that. I don’t want to be this way all of the time of course. On vacations – No problem. At home – that is a different story. However, I am getting better.
“Do the important things first. Whether it is working on your novel or taking the kids to the park, do what matters to you first – even if there are dishes in the sink and messages on your answering machine. If you claim even half an hour to do what you really, really want, your time will start to seem like pants with an elastic waist: roomy and accommodating. You will somehow get around to the dishes, but without giving it priority attention, you might never get around to your novel.”
This one is good for me too because I am one who likes things neat and orderly before I start on something that is important to me. Clutter around me makes me feel like I can’t think straight…like I don’t have a clean slate to work with. However, I am not a procrastinator in the least so it is rare that I let unimportant things take priority. Usually if I am doing it, it is pretty important to me.
“Get comfortable with empty time. Some people panic when every minute isn’t planned or filled up. Even being early for a movie makes them nervous. That’s because with empty time we have to be with ourselves and our thoughts. When you stop saturating every second of open time with activity, you’ll realize that there really is more time than you thought. Use some of it to sit, breathe and regroup.”
Basically…..just be. Love that one. As much as it is a challenge fro me to just be sometimes, I am not a person who has to have every minute filled up with something.
“Be willing to do less. A mentor once said to me, ’stop doing so much damn stuff to make yourself feel important.’ Yikes!! But she was right: I’d put myself on an invisible treadmill to prove my value. None of us has to justify her existence. See what eats up your time and lessen that, get rid of it, or delegate it. Are you attracted to busy work because your real work is too scary to tackle? Are you on the phone too much? does perfectionism at home or at the office keep you busy all of the time? Be willing to do less and see what happens to your relationship to time.”
I am like that when I am not busy. I feel like I am not very valuable when I am not contributing to someone or something. Time to get over that one.
“Stop saying things like, ‘There aren’t enough hours in the day.’ And, ‘I just never have time anymore.’ Using these phrases can be a way to fish for compliments or sympathy. You might get both but at a price. Your unconscious latches onto statements like this and works to turn your words into reality. If you want to talk about time, quote physicist Erwin Schroedinger: ‘The present is the only thing that has no end.”
Lesson learned for me here. I have been saying for months that I am not as efficient when I am not that busy and guess what? I have been creating just that. I used to always say that I worked better with deadlines and time crunches…and guess what. I did. But I am ready to be just as efficient with more time on my hands.
“Use clocks with hands. Futurist Jeremy Rifkin has commented that the prevalence of digital clocks and watches separates us from time as a continuum. We see that it is 10:17. What can be achieved at 10:17? Practically nothing. But seeing an actual minute hand between 3 and 4 gives you the image of time as a circle. The work you did in the past is creating in the present. There is time.”
“Remember what you are here for. If you’re religious enough to feel that you’re here to do God’s will, you can know that God is going to support that intention with adequate time. If you’re not religious think about your purpose or your calling. You have a function on this planet. There may not be time to have a clean house, a clean car, and clean hair all on the same day, but there is time to do what you came here for – and fit in a little sightseeing.”
Well there you have it. Did you learn anything about yourself while reading this?
**************
Hi Howie: Of course I do not mind you including yourself in the party that is dependent on Tals’s calculations. You are leaving and I would think you would be concerned.
In regards to Madaline’s advice: I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Oh…and speaking of thoughts, I wanted to say… I do not mean to make light of your illnesses; I have no idea what you must go through on a daily basis. It is not that I do not think about you and/or recognize your illnesses; it is just that I decide to not empower them by giving them focus. I feel that you focus on them enough. I see you as much more than just a human who has illnesses, therefore I recognize you as more than that, and choose to not see you as ill. I feel the same way about Al and his ailments. Forgive me if I offended you by not giving them the attention that you seem to desire.
Thank you for your kind words…sometimes it is challenging when all is not as it seems to be. But I am grateful for my blog, the ability to write every day, and all of the loyal readers.
Lastly, It would be a hoot to meet you too someday! Whether it be here on this planet or somewhere else.
Hello Readers: Since my dear husband is ignoring my question or just doesn’t have time to answer it, I will do the ‘manly’ thing and move on and make my decision without his input :) I have decided that Wednesday will be the designated day that I blog about politics. For the first week, which will be next Wednesday June 11th, I would like to leave it open as far as ‘who’….don’t know who I’ll be blogging about yet…maybe I’ll give you a heads up so you can do a little research on your own and join me or maybe not :). If in the next week anyone is interested in learning more about a particular candidate, blog me and I will make it a point to designate a week to that particular person. Then all that want to get involved can do so and we’ll ‘chat’ about it. Sound good?
I’m outta here. Peace off…
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle ♥
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edgy1 said
Hi Michelle, speaking of time…I have expanded it to fit in two meetings, a work out and then some ‘do what I want’ time, be back at you then to talk about the ‘charmed life’ : )
http://edgy1.wordpress.com/ today, ‘I love people…interesting, intelligent people’ – will proceed with ‘voting 2008′ series very soon…
Howie, thanks for the kind words.
Everyone else: Enjoy your time : ) Zen Lill
anonz said
Howie
I want to thank you for helping me begin to understand all the stuff I have missed on Michelle’s blog. I couldn’t imagine trying to catch up if not for your regular synopsis.
I have decided to find your first entry and follow your comments to today. Later I will try to catch up by going back to where I stopped before I left.
Zen, Michelle, Doug, and blog
I too have been asked to postpone my distribution of my pictures until the State Department has had a chance to view them. The UN Tribunal on war crimes investigative arm wants to view them also. I would not want to jeopardize the safety of witnesses or prevent the apprehension of criminals so I have reluctantly released them to the proper authorities for their perusal.
Zen
Do not be concerned about removing my comments. I’m not so needy or vain that it would bother me. I am very happy that you would not mind me commenting on your blog. While I will continue to read it. I just love the way you weave a thought. I will not comment until I have caught up on its back log. What’s this about porn on your site? People are such the opportunists.
I am delighted that you would still consider meeting me. Too bad I now look like frankenstein on one side. But I am told that it is fixable. Yes, I am too vain to allow you to see me before it is fixed.
As for your questions: Yes, I am sure that my experiences have altered my psyche. I see things much differently. I used to be a republican. Now I’ve joined your ranks as an independent. I will only support candidates I feel will or could make a difference. I believe it is obscene for one person to have as much money as I have. Yet, I am not sure that just giving most of it to “worthy” causes is the right answer.
My battle experiences this time was much different from when I was in uniform. Being in uniform representing your country brings a much different experience form being in a confrontation with only your moral conviction as your comrade and shield.
When I served my country I had my fellow country men. We gave each other a sense of wholeness. We were there for each other in battle in sadness, in fear, in courage. We represented something more than moral conviction. We represented our country and all the people who were a part of that country. We were laying our lives on the line for them. We were proud to be bearers of our country’s flag. We left the politicking to the politicians and the civilians. We fought for each other, God and country.
In the Sudan I only had me and the resources that I brought with me or could purchase to protect me. I had no one to fall back on but me. I often felt stupid and alone. I was scared more often that I care to admit. The ear splitting sounds of the incoming artillery, small arms fire, the screams of the frightened, injured and dying have made indelible marks upon my psyche and soul. The only thing that kept me going another day was the smiles on the women, old men, and little ones faces when they saw me coming. I hated that they thought that I could do more than just give my life for their cause. I was basically useless. My money could only bring them a brief respite from the hunger, fear and general hopelessness of their daily lives.
You ask about courage. I have no more courage. If what I went to the Sudan with was courage, it soon became outrage that the rest of the world would sit by and allow such cruelty to take place. Courage, no If I had it, I lost it while I lay there pretending to be dead while those devils carved up those around me alive and dead. I too would be dead if not for some miracle. As they were removing my clothes I must have moaned because one of them stuck me with a hot bayonet, I was surprised that I could still feel anything. My legs would not work and my arms were broken from holding them up to shield us from the force of the explosions. I heard a voice say, “not today.”
As illogical as it may seem, I believe it was a female. I imagined it was how you would sound. My big Amazon babe to the rescue! I woke up in a hospital. No one knows how I arrived. At least that was what I was told. Not surprising considering the need for secrecy there, makes everyone his own confidant.
Do I have the courage to go back? I can’t answer that yet. Would I like to go back? Probably not. As for the “white male” karma. I don’t feel that this is all the white male fault. The Chinese and the Arabs share equally, if not more of the blame for this genocide. The white male may have started it, but the rest of the world have no excuses for their actions or inactions either. I owe nothing because I am white. This is not a white problem it is a human problem. If I go back, it won’t be because of some white man conscious, It will be because I am a human who feels that he can contribute something by his presence in the region.
It’s so good to know that you feel good knowing that I do.
anonz.
Doug said
Michelle,
Not that I was ignoring anything in reference to your political day trips, but your decision for Wednesday works for me?…I’m sure any day would suffice to your readers at your leisure and decision.
We have discussed this book and its power many times. I have yet to read it, although, through our discussions and watching and listening to you about it I have learned much. I have witnessed your mantra that “time expands to meet my needs”. I am one that is able to “be” in so many situations. I have had issues with it in the past months of late, but normally I am good at that one. I am usually comfortable with time and I take time and am able to enjoy empty time. I am able to recognize even 5 minutes and use it to “be” with…It helps keep things sane within the insanity…I like having a watch with hands. It keeps things more real for me. I also like the sounds they make when I hear it in those moments of peace…You know me, I am more than willing to do less! Although, creating time and space to have this take place while still being proactive, profitable, progressing and creating is the key. I have learned about what words are said and how those can affect one and one’s outlook and results is paramount. It can be difficult at times, however, even by saying that, it is…So, there is still work to do.
Anonz,
It is difficult to imagine being in the scene you describe. I have witnessed these in movies and such, but reality is a whole other deal! The capacity to deal and withstand much of what you have been involved with is staggering. Being in the moment and the split decision making is exemplary as you are able to tell us about it. What is key for me, which you touch on, is the fact that you were in these situations based on your moral decision to be there, and not because you signed up (although this is not to negate anyone who is doing this work because of duty, but to prove a point)…The decisions we make in life because we choose to based on our own character, on our morals holds more weight than anything. The only reason you were there dealing with certain issues and dangers is because you chose to. You chose to take on whatever it was that was to come up. Therefore, the results and ramifications of that decision held enough weight for you as a human to be able to handle what was necessary, with a purpose to carry on and hold that vision for so many others who may not have that vision any longer. Powerful.
HOWIE said
Anonz, it is very nice meeting you on this blog. I thank you for the kind words in your comment. I am still not sure why, but I wound up befriending an Alien 30 years ago who turned out to be the Almighty God, Creator of the Universe. We call him Carr on the blog. He has been involved in some mischief in the never ending story called ‘The Blog’ and is actually who I say He is. I am not delusional. His powers have been tested by the TAO and he is the real McCoy.
I know this must be difficult to believe – I wouldn’t.
Another thing I would like to mention is the fact that I wound up volunteering for a Kibbutz in Israel for a year after my divorce thinking I may do some good there. The first Gulf War took place while I lived there. It was quite frightening. I had never experienced air-raid sirens, shelters and having to carry around a gas mask 24-hours a day. All this did not cause me to tuck in my tail and return to the USA. I stuck it out.
We were bombed just about every evening totaling 45 times. It was frightening because the SCUD Missiles could fall out of the sky, exploding anywhere and I lived near Tel Aviv, which was the primary target. We had to put on our gas masks and sit trembling watching CNN to find out where the missile had actually struck. We watched the fireworks in the sky because there was a battery of American Patriot Missiles near my home and they would shoot up in the sky attempting to take out the SCUDS. Even if they were effective and hit the missile, the mass of a freight train could fall out of the sky and take out half a city block.
I just thought I would relate my War Story to you, who understands what War is really like. “War Is Hell.” Anywhere, any time, any place.
It was good to chat with a fellow Male, since this blog is mainly dominated by females – both Human and Alien. We are the weaker sex here in blogland. Many of the women are capable of ripping our heads off and not even blinking an eye.
HOWIE
Earthlings said
Zen Lill
Maam
Yes, you may use my blog entry on your blog. Anything for female unity.
Howie, Howie don’t be so hard on us girls. Anonz will think we are horrids.
Anonz you neglected to tell them about your heroics. Specifically how you and the four guys who helped lead those africans to safety. I thought it was sexy watching you and the that big red head face off more that 200 blood thirsty arabs. I wasn’t there but Nadia made a recording for us to watch.
I studied your facial expression and body language when you calmly told the other guys that you would stay and hold those maniacs off for as long as you could and they should get out now. I hoped at least one of the others would stay with you and I guess the red head was primed for the cause. He looked like he was made for just that instance. When you again calmly started laying out the lines of fire the two of you should take, I saw that tic in your face when you expressed your thanks for his assistance. As if you were saying we will die here.
We all laughed when you told Red when he got shot that if he would hold on and out live you, you would leave him all your money. If you could have only seem the look on his face when he asked you how much you were worth and (I won’t mention it here) you told him.
“Fuck man, with all that money couldn’t you have paid a lot of some bodies to die for you?” Hell, you could have paid me. Now I’m going to die broke.”
See we were there. And yes that big Amazon was Nadia. Well, I wasn’t but Nadia and Sheikh were. We never did figure what the meaning of the numbers you two were calling out meant. Was it the number you had shot or some signal that told your where to move so as not to shoot each other. My guess was the latter.
You two were damn good shots and team mates. With a little training you could handle a battle blazer with ease. I had considered bringing you aboard but you belonged to a Girlz. We wouldn’t have wanted to piss off Zen Lill.
As for Red, he was just a big hulk of a man who was born for some conflict or another. He lived to be shooting or to be shot at. You would have had to shoot him to prevent him from staying with you.
You needn’t feel too bad. Sheikh brought him back, and he too is whole again. Actually, he is in better shape that you are. He didn’t suffer a head wound. We restored his foot, shoulder and intestines. You know the ones you kept trying to push back in with one hand while trying to reload with the other. Had you concentrated on one task at a time, like reloading, and retreating to fight another day. You might have escaped. He was a goner there was nothing you could do to help him. You didn’t know him. You had accomplished your mission. Most of the others had escaped.
I am not judging your judgment. Just a hint to the wise should you find yourself in a similar situation. Red thinks you are dead. After all he did see half you head blown away. Check with the UN red cross victims unit. His name is Ryan OShannassey. The spelling may not be correct but the phonetic sound is.
Mine is Madaline. I am an alien. So are Nadia and Sheikh. You have some fans.
Madaline.
Al said
Michelle: I haven’t commented in a while. Really have not been feeling very well lately. Truth is that I have been trying to write in, but hadn’t anything to say, still don’t. Been reading regularly and my apologies for ignoring you, the other bloggers and your readers. This funk, or whatever is wrong will pass and hopefully soon it will be business as usual.
Al