Friday, December 31, 2010

SUNRISE - December 31, 2010

December 31, 2010 7:23 am
'Tis here.  New Year's Eve.  The last Sunrise and  Sunset of 2010.  I suppose on some obscure cultural or 4th dimensional calendar somewhere, it really is some other TIME marker, but I'm good with the 2010 marker using the Gregorian version.  New Year's Eve is the traditional moment, when, if one is of the mind to make reflections on the year's past deeds, promises kept and goals met or not, are reviewed and an updated with new, improved ambitious aspirations are considered and even verbalized.

"The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul" - G.K. Chesterton

It is said that to truly give yourself the best chance of success in achieving the new year's destination, you should include these two caveats: 

"A new year is unfolding - like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within." - Unknown


1.     Write it down.  There seems to be a powerful transference of proactive intent as the verbal word transcends to the written word.  Print it.  Post it.  Place copies where YOU can see them regularly (Consider posting where you can see it in the morning - bathroom, kitchen, clothes closet, steering wheel - or better yet, E-all of the above).  Reinforcement is the key to success.

"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.  A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves".  - Bill Vaughan
2.     Tell others.  This will keep you honest.  There is a greater incentive to keep up with your goals to also keep your word.  Your character is riding on keeping to the task you set out for yourself.

"Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past.  Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go."  ~ Brooks Atkinson

Enjoy - It is never too late for any of us to be the people we were meant to be.

"Don't let your New Year's resolution be something that goes in one year and out the other." – Unknown

1/1/11:  Tomorrow's sunrise will begin a new day as well as a new year - may all your goals be realized and that you successfully make TIME for all that is truly meaningful in your life.  Happy New Year!


rlw



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Thursday, December 30, 2010

SUNRISE - December 30, 2010

Wow!  Another year is coming to a close.  With the 'just happy to be here' refrain ringing in my ears, there is always cause for reflection as the milestones of your life loom on the horizon or in your rear view mirror.

December 30, 2010 7:23 am
This morning at Sunrise, I reflected on my continual search for the perfect organized formula for the perfect organized day.  I am a 'list' person.  I make lists every day.  Sometimes (often) when I misplace the first list, I have to start another list.  

The lists are everywhere.  Mainly because I never finish all the things on any list, I hang on to it to start yet another continuation list.

Now that I have a 'fixation' currently on TIME, its valued allotment in our lives and how we can maximize the value of the moments given each of us, I try to be efficient with the use of my minutes. 

 Distraction seems to be the biggest challenge regarding the best use of my time.  Similar to arriving in Las Vegas for the first time, with a million lights and glitter to overwhelm the eye, my chosen environment is full of glitter and attractive sparkly things (no, I am not blond - what's left of my hair is mostly gray). 

 I have a hundred things on a hundred 'To Do' lists (the most recent of which is to write this BLOG).  A typical challenge for me is that I start with a very clear picture first thing (my Sunrise Self Directive) as to how my day should go and what I wish to accomplish. Today it was: 

* Get up, get dressed and be outside by Sunrise 

*Snap my Sunrise picture.  

*Complete my reflections, gratitudes and plan the best use of my moments of this fresh new day.

*Take my camera upstairs to my office. 

*Plug it into the computer and upload the picture.

*Write this blog post.

*Click on 'Publish this blog'.

*Move on with the other 99 things on my ‘To Do’ list.

Pretty simple...

Today’s Reality was :

*I got up early, showered and dressed. I got outside in TIME for the Sunrise photo op.

*I took several pictures. 

*It is now 7:23 AM. Not bad.  I am rockin'.

*I successfully completed my gratitude and reflection and plan for my day. 

* Back inside, I made coffee (caffeine) for my wife and another cup (decaf) for me, so I can settle into my well-organized day (starting with this blog post).

*Waiting for the coffee to finish, I took a quick glance at the 'list' from an earlier day with three things yet to be done.  So, I started a new list. 

*While converting the old list to the 'new' list I was reminded (while making prodigious notes) of yet another grand idea for a totally different blog to write on yet another day. 

*Running a bit behind, coffee in hand, I headed upstairs with my camera to turn on my computer and upload the photos.  I hooked-up to the internet and opened my homepage to start this blog.

*The first thing I see is my new emails that have come in since my last view (God help me when I "just check my email real fast", as it is a slippery downhill path to a totally distracted-glitterati-dazzling mental Las Vegas at-night-for-the-first time experience).

 *Oh, look - there is an email from a friend that begged a ‘quick’ response.  I am already right there, so to save some TIME from having to log in and answer it later, I jot off a quick reply.

* Also, there is a notification comment from a fan on one of my blogs that asked that I go to that blog page to approve and comment.  Since I am right there, I decide to save some TIME from touching it twice and completed the task.

* So, I am also seeing a notification in my email box about a new blog post from one of the 30 writers I follow (on subjects I have an interest in) and because it just might have an original, interesting angle on the blog post I am supposed to be doing (like right now) I take just a 'second' to check it out...after logging into the host website.  I read the whole thing; I posted a comment and got back to my original task.

* Even the uploading of my Sunrise photo requires the editing and choosing amongst the half dozen shots I took.

* But first, I have to open my photo file to manage it and make sure it isn't from the same angle as three days ago, which requires that:

*I open the previous photo file to peruse the ten pictures I took last Monday.

* But, the first photo that popped up was actually my screen saver photo of my family at Christmas.

*That reminded me to shoot off a 'quick' email to my sons (all out of the house) about the availability of my vast coffee cup collection we are getting rid of to 'simplify' our lives, so we will have more TIME.  I knock out the email, add the picture, and hit ‘send’.

It is now 9:30 am. Blog not completed.

*I stopped to make breakfast for everyone.
 
*After breakfast, my youngest son (22) shows up to take my daughter (12) to the movies, because she is out of school for the holidays.  He just graduated from college a few weeks ago, so I inquire about his job hunt.  He tells me only thing that is new is that he was laid off from his temp Christmas holiday job. 

*We head up to my office to discuss my offer to hire him, personally, to increase the productivity of my office to properly hook-up all my electronic toys (scanners, printers, VHS to DVD converter...old family movies..., etc.) to save me even more TIME.  

*We finally finish that conversation, which took much longer than I expected, as all the family members kept interrupting with more distracting questions, observations, and comments not related to my job offer description to my son. 

*My son and daughter drive away for the day.  

*At last, I head back to the computer and my blog. My wife takes this moment (with jacket and car keys in hand), to share that this will be the opportune time to visit the new museum that just opened,  because my daughter hates museums, we enjoy museums, and now that she is spending the day with her older brother, this would be the perfect ‘TIME' to go to the museum. 

*It is now 11:00 am. Blog may never get finished.

*So, I grab my jacket and off we go to spend the day at the museum.  We have to park a very long way away to find the nearest parking spot.  It was very nice; we loved it and spent the day walking 10,000 steps on cold tile floors. Culture is now spewing from my orifices.  I am, however, inspired to write a travel blog about this museum and took several pictures.  I jot it down on my 'list'.

*On the way home from the museum we decide to drop off last night's movie rental, because the movie rental kiosk is just inside our neighborhood grocery store and it was right on our way. Saving TIME.  We thought we would save even some more TIME by buying just a few baking supplies, because we are already in the store.  But, because it is almost New Year's Eve, everyone else was in the store with us and the lines at the checkout areas were exceedingly long, with everybody's basket piled high with gin and beer.

*I am not a big drinker, but heavily considering it now (should have loaded some Scotch next to the chocolate chips and sugar), as I think I will never get home and this may become the great 'unfinished' blog that never was.

*My wife and I arrived back at home, just at the same time as my son and daughter did, and of course, as we are good parents, we listened intently, as they regaled us with all the details of their day's adventures.

It is now 5:30 pm.  Blog still unfinished.

*Murphy's Law;  it is also now dinner time and as I am the house chef, I worked my culinary magic once again, ate dinner, cleaned up the kitchen and asked everyone in earshot  if there was anything else that anybody needed me to do. 

*The pleading, desperate look in my eyes convinced one and all to say no, relieving me of any more distractions from this morning's first task: Get up. Take the picture. Write the blog.

*It is now 7:15 pm. What is a blog and how do I write one?  I don’t think I know anymore.

*What should I write about today?

*Writer's Block is my problem. 

*Not the kind of Writers Block where you can't think of anything to say, but the kind like the freeway is blocked with a big wreck and you can’t get through.  This is the kind of block where you sabotage yourself with distractions, helped along by well-intentioned loved ones and (if I wasn't on vacation this week) co-workers/bosses, traffic, laundry, cooking, eating, cleaning, shopping, etc.

*Did I mention that none of the above was on my To Do list this morning? 

*The silver lining (I love the Half-Full attitude) is that the actual actions of my day answered the burning question:  

*What should I write about today?

*It is now 7:30 pm.  Twelve hours have elapsed. I had just the one thing to do on my list this morning.  Write a blog about TIME.   Where did the TIME go?

*I am in my office and I am almost done with the blog.  I am trying to concentrate to correct my multiple spelling errors.  My daughter just popped in to inquire about watching TV in my office, because the screen is bigger. I respectfully asked (pleaded) for another quiet 10 minutes to complete this blog.  She huffs and puffs out (teenagers – I am now the bad guy).   I regain my train of thought and I am almost there.  The door opens again to my inner sanctum.  My wife wants to know where the receipts are for my last oil change.

*I am almost there.  It is 8:07 pm.

* Blog done (I think).  One more time through for a quick edit clean-up. If you are reading this, I actually pushed the ‘Publish’ button.  Please excuse any spelling errors.

*Carpe Diem.  Seize the Day....or the  Day will Seize you!

*It is now 8:55 pm.

rlw




TAKE A MOMENT TO TAKE THE POLL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE – WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR TIME?       

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Wednesday, December 29, 2010

SUNRISE - December 29, 2010

December 29, 2010 Dawn 7:08 am
Watching the dawn glow and the Sunrise every morning,  even with just the last scant four days I have newly "focused" on this daily phenomenon.  The experience is beginning to illicit a noticeable change in my attitude and my gratitude.

We have all witnessed a multitude of Sunrises in our life.  When we were younger and more foolish, we tried to get home "before" Sunrise and we often didn't always quite make it.  Many more times, as we became more "Mature" (God help us) we saw them through our windshield, as we tried to get to work on time.  In both instances, the Sunrise was an icon marker proclaiming how foolish, time challenged, late, overworked, under organized, etc. (none of which seems to hold a positive connotation) we were.


How often have we actually "intentionally" watched the Sunrise for the sheer benefit of being cognizant of the miracle and opportunity it represents (the 60's don't count; if you were there you know why)?  

Why do we refer to an epiphany (a sudden realization of great truth) as having an idea "dawn" on usDoes our great idea begin to emerge as "dawn" and then is more fully realized at "Sunrise"?


December 29, 2010 Sunrise 7:23 am
We have daily planners and iPhone calendars, appointment  secretaries, but none is greater than the silent, non-electric, "TIME", that is provided to us in the early moments of a daily Sunrise.  How can we more effectively control our use of time with daily intent?

“So often we allow life to dictate to us how we live and what we do. We become a victim of our own circumstances with no purpose, design or intent. Living a life of intent means we take charge of our lives and direct ourselves to whom and where we want to be. Intent won't just happen it takes effort and commitment.” TerriR

Light following darkness, knowledge following questions, enlightenment following confusion.  Carpe Diem.

rlw


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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

SUNRISE - December 28, 2010

December 28, 2010 Sunrise 7:23 am
Time is that illusive element that seems to drag by when it is least desired and speeds downhill like a fire engine out of control when we most want it to slow down.

It is a common complaint that we don't get enough time to do all that we wanted to do  today, this week, this month, this year, and this life.  Every being receives 24 hours every day, to accomplish, enjoy, fritter, ignore, waste, ignore, prepare, or appreciate the time we receive.


The daily challenge is to live like there is no tomorrow, plan for a thousand more tomorrows, take responsibility for the requirements of life (family, work, school, eating, sleeping, and money) and produce a fulfilled day with no regrets.


rlw


      "What very mysterious things days were. Sometimes they fly by, and other times they seem to last forever, yet they are all exactly twenty-four hours. There's quite a lot we don't know about them."  
                          ~ Melanie Benjamin



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Monday, December 27, 2010

SUNRISE - December 27, 2010

December 27, 2010 Sunrise 7:23 am

December 27, 2010 Dawn 7:06 am
They say that it is hard to form good habits and much easier to break them.  When I was in sports in high school and college, it was the same for getting in shape physically.  The shape I was in after three weeks of solid effort could be lost in three days of not maintaining the regimen. The same hold true for your mental being.  Watching the miracle of yet another day (in Paradise) unfolding before you compels you to consider the endless possibilities lying before you.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

In the legal profession "time is of the essence" is a phrase often used in legally binding contracts  In effect, this says: the specified time and dates in this agreement are vital and mandatory, and "we mean it."  

Any delay, reasonable or not, will be grounds for canceling the agreement.


There is a saying that infers that "Your time is a gift from God.  What you decide to do with your time is your gift back to God."

Rarely would we start on an important journey without mapping it out in advance to make sure we didn't miss a turn anywhere along the way.  My analogy with each Sunrise is like the "map light" being switched on in your car so you can more clearly recheck today's destination and your purpose.



"Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have 24 hour days."
- Zig Ziglar



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SUNRISE - December 26, 2010

December 26, 2010 Sunrise 7:22 am
I have already become the early riser (daughter with a 7:00 am orchestra practice start) and I am the designated caffeine re-fueler/lunch packer in this home.


I am pretty much always (is that self-canceling?) already up at Sunrise, but have not given it the attention it deserves and the meaning it contains in each of our lives.



Sunrise is a daily opportunity to commit to a "New Day's Resolution" - with is 365 times more effective that just on Jan. 1 each year.

Wikipedia: Time is a part of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between them, and to quantify rates of change such as the motions of objects.  Time has been a major subject of religion, philosophy, and science, but defining it in a non-controversial manner applicable to all fields of study has consistently eluded the greatest scholars.



 Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” -  Carl Sandburg


rlw



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Sunday, December 26, 2010

Sunrise - December 25, 2010

December 25, 2010 Sunrise at 7:22 am
As the sands of time seem to be greater on the bottom half of my hourglass than on the top, I have had an increased interest in TIME and how I spend it.  


There is a finite number of sunrises available to each of us and I don't wish to miss very many of mine.  

Sunrise is that magical portion of our day when most dreams are still possible and the illusion of "enough" time to achieve them still exists.


 
"Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it, you can never get it back."  - Harvey Mackay



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