Chapter 7 – Making Time – Part 2

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58

Exercise 2: Time Capsule

Keep a record throughout the day of how you spend your time. You might set your watch to beep every hour on the hour. Whenever possible, stop and jot down what you are doing at the moment.

I got this, before I even start.

5:20 exercise

5:40 write

6:00 get ready for work

6:30 walk the dog

6:45 write

7:00 get the girls ready for school

7:15 breakfast

7:30 pack lunches

7:45 pack the car

8:00 drive to school

8:15 take girls inside

8:30 drive to work

8:45 practice piano or read book

9:00-1:00 work (today I’m making castles)

1:15 at home eating lunch

1:30-2:30 blog a book review or plant flowers

2:30-3:00 head back to school and read while I wait

3:30-4:15 occupy the girls then take to dance

4:15-5:00 read while girls dance

5:00-30 go to church and read until bell practice

5:30-6:30 bell practice

6:45 dinner I hope

7:30 get ready for bed and read to girls

8:00-8:30ish read by girls bedside

8:30-10:00 read, watch, relax.

10:00 go to bed and read

11:00 sleep?

Which hat do you wear most of the time: the breadwinner, the caregiver, the household manager, the employee, the boss, the friend, the counselor, the caretaker the spouse, the parent, or the artist?

If you look at my last several weeks, I guess I wear the hat of the artist. Summer is almost here and it will become the parent for sure. But since the girls are in school and I only work part time and the husband is doing the 5 10s … And no one who would look at my house would see a household manager … The close second would be the reader … but I’d also place that under artist. It’s my magazine. My research. My inspiration.

Is this use of you time working for you, or are you resenting some of the time you spend “doing” for others or doing things you don’t feel are really that important?

I am feeling resentful. There are some things I am doing that I don’t think are all that important, but I certainly couldn’t tell the person asking. I kind of feel that I have to do everything in order to get it done. If I don’t “take over”, it will end up being a last minute mess. I want some more respect for my time. It is willingly and generously given. Exceedingly so in my opinion. When someone gives you such a gift, you have to appreciate it and use it best. Certainly not squander it or put it off or shelve it.

How does it feel when you manage to salvage an hour or two a day for yourself and your art?

I’d rather put it, how does it feel when I manage to salvage a moment to read. It looks like a have a lot of time for reading. But I just keep a book with me at all times and whip it out when there is a train. I love Thursdays. I generally get an hour of uninterrupted reading that isn’t while simultaneously eating or trying to stay awake in bed. I would read a morning away if I could. When I let myself do it. It’s relaxing and stress relieving. My mind gets a momentary break.

Do you ever feel guilty? If so, why? Write about your feelings.

Of course I feel guilty. Guilty for reading as much as I do. It’s not like I’m paid to read. I have to do it on my own time. And, to an extent, it is expected. And my reading is borderline crazy.

And I feel guilty for my high expectations regarding my efforts for others. I’m sorry to be such a bother. I just don’t want to have the stress weighing on me, when it could be easily done. Right now. In MY time. I hate being the person saying I need this. I need that. Why isn’t this here. Who is prepping for me. Because in the end, it is not that big of a deal. And it would be okay without it. It’s just a little topping on the cake. And what others have come to expect.

And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:5

Surprise, surprise. There is no Zephaniah 4:13