As we move into the hustle and bustle of the holiday week, many of us are running around frantic to wrap up all the details of shopping and cooking for celebrations with family and friends. We are wrapping up deals and projects at work. We are wrapping presents for under the tree. We are busy wrapping up.

 As I watch the snow fall outside and blanket the Earth, I am momentarily filled with a tranquil peace. The quiet beauty, as it glistens across the lawn, slows me down and I pause. In all this busyness there is something important to reflect on; we are wrapping up another year in our lives. 

What did 2008 bring? Globally, we have seen much strife and discord over our planet and the lines we have drawn on Her that divide us. In America we saw our country divided on choosing a leader, but choose we did. Moving forward now with change and a new hope for the future. In our communities we have seen the effects of the financial crisis, with loss of jobs and security. And individually each and every one of us has a story of what 2008 brought to us. There was good and bad, challenge and opportunity, benefits and costs. What did the year bring for you? What do you take away from it that brings you joy? What are you ready to let go of and leave behind? And what will the new year bring?

The dawn of a new year.  525,600 minutes to use as we choose.  When we begin the year we all have a very hefty bank account of time to use as we like. We are all beginning the year rich in opportunity with more than half a million minutes to spend living our lives.  We get to choose to make big changes, little adjustments, important plans and meaningful contributions.  

How will you spend yours?  That is your choice.  Each minute you spend is an investment you make in your life. The return on that investment is largely up to you.  “I'll try to make the time.” “If I can find the time.” This time, next time, some time...all phrases we use about our time. And the truth is, we can't make time or find time, we use time. Each one of those minutes is time that you use. You can spend them pursuing your passion or learning something new. You can spend them taking care of yourself and those around you. You can spend them thinking about what you would like to do or use them to actually do it!  You can spend them watching TV.  

It is your choice how you spend down your account, and it is constantly diminishing. Every minute of every day.
 
The beauty of this account is that, unlike money, we all get the same amount.  Not one of us has more or less than the others. Sure, some of our time does not feel like our own and is 'taken up' by the demands and responsibilities of jobs, family issues and unexpected events.  We all have areas of our lives that use our time... family, work, sleep, health, community, recreation...but we all get the same amount in a day.  All the more reason to use the minutes that you have the most control over to do what matters most to you.  Awareness is the first step.  Being aware of how you choose to spend your time will help you make powerful choices when you have time available to you. Each stretch of time that you embrace doing what you love leads to creating the life you want in the life you already have.

The snow has stopped and weak sunshine pours from a milky gray-blue sky. A family of Mallards stroll across my neighbors yard; he stands there watching them. It is a beautiful day in its frigid stillness. I am grateful that I looked up from my busy schedule to notice. The list of the many things I need to do today creeps up on me and I shoo it away, gently. The shopping, cleaning, cooking—and wrapping—can wait.

This time, I choose to write.