David G. (the dear!) recently posted a thoughtful and erudite entry with the title
“What do I need more of in my life?”
Rather than giving him a short answer in the comment section, I am replying with an entry of my own. My first respond to the question was rather flippant. I responded with “a houseboy AND something I won’t write out lest my family be reading this”. The entry could be comical or with gravitas. I am going with the latter.
Yesterday I had plenty of time to contemplate this lofty question. I was busy around the house tidying up and tending to things that needed doing. I was quite happy to be alone and lost in my thoughts and activity – a true sign of introversion!
What do I need more? I need Time. I shall be cautious here, for Time can not be made or lost, only spent wisely or foolishly. Everyday (Lord willing) I wake up to 24 hours in which to do – what? Three things:
1 – Work. Like most folks my day is mostly consumed with my job and its needs. When I am not seeing patients, I am dictating note/charts, filling out forms and returning phone calls.
2 – The daily tasks of living, the mundane things like making meals and the bed, and taking care of the dog. There is always the ‘house problem de jour” that demands attention.
3 – Then there are the things I would ‘like to do”. These are legion. I started a list of them but it became as long as a line at Best Buy on Black Friday Best Buy. It made me shudder so.
#3 is what I want more of in my life. It sounds like the lyrics of a Jim Croce tune.
What I try to do each day is delegate some Time each for 3 and not just 1 or 2 of time consumption. I might read, or work on my two books, or sew a shirt (many to do). #3 type of Time is usually conducted in the portion of day formally known as Vespers. Alas I can’t do too much of #3 lest it eat into sleep.
So that’s your answer, David G. I want more Time, untainted with the demands of work and Life’s’ mundane maintenance. I suppose this makes my request to be a “Man of Leisure”. How lovely that sounds.
28 comments
April 24, 2017 at 8:26 AM
David
Thank you, more to think about, more to write about.
April 24, 2017 at 7:58 PM
Urspo
thank you for the inspiration.
April 24, 2017 at 9:56 AM
Old Lurker
As an unemployed burden on society, in principle I have plenty of time for #3. Funny how things don’t turn out that way…
April 24, 2017 at 7:59 PM
Urspo
are you not fulfilled with your gift of time?
April 24, 2017 at 9:17 PM
Old Lurker
I am glad to have time but upset at how I squander it.
April 24, 2017 at 10:42 AM
larrymuffin
Man of leisure? That is called retirement.
April 24, 2017 at 7:59 PM
Urspo
It sounds lovely indeed
April 24, 2017 at 11:40 AM
anne marie in philly
I think I told david I wanted to spend more time with my boyfriends since they all live so far away. :`(
I usually work 8 hrs/day, knit 2 hrs/day, sleep 8hrs/day, other shit that needs attention 6 hrs/day. making the bed is not one of them; feeding the cats/spouse/myself is. dishes/laundry/groceries may figure into my day, but not all at once.
April 24, 2017 at 7:59 PM
Urspo
when do you retire?
April 25, 2017 at 10:13 AM
anne marie in philly
that word is not in my vocabulary. I’mma mortgaged until age 85.
April 25, 2017 at 7:09 PM
Urspo
35 years hence??
April 24, 2017 at 2:27 PM
mitchellismoving
I need to be more grateful and more satisfied.
April 24, 2017 at 8:00 PM
Urspo
aye sir, dont we all
April 24, 2017 at 4:21 PM
Robert
Do you have a plan for when this could happen?
April 24, 2017 at 8:00 PM
Urspo
becoming a man of leisure? not very likely I am sorry to say. There are too many factors that make this a low probability
April 24, 2017 at 11:02 PM
Robert
Oh dear, maybe you need to investigate adjusting the balance of your days so that you have more time for yourself?
April 24, 2017 at 4:28 PM
Stephen
More time, I agree, 24 hours not enough. When it is retirement time maybe, if I’m still around from the stress of not having enough time now 😉
April 24, 2017 at 8:01 PM
Urspo
it is a common fear the mentioned.
April 24, 2017 at 5:26 PM
truthspew
Making meals to me is never mundane. Last night I made killer shrimp scampi, I do it a bit differently. I cook the shrimp first and the shells go in the boiling water with some salt. Gives a really nice flavor to the pasta. Then butter, garlic, salt, pepper in the pan then a tiny bit of flour and then some white wine. In go the shrimp that were seasoned with salt, cayenne and red pepper flakes and then out they come, then mixture is poured over the pasta. Maximum flavor extraction there. Then some nice parmagiano regiano on top.
April 24, 2017 at 8:01 PM
Urspo
you are as clever with the cuisine as you are with the technology
April 29, 2017 at 9:32 AM
truthspew
Yup I know, I’m multi-talented. Also good with electronics.
April 24, 2017 at 6:28 PM
Willym
What is this “work” of which you speak?
April 24, 2017 at 7:39 PM
Old Lurker
Oh it’s horrible. Consider yourself blessed to be innocent about it.
April 24, 2017 at 8:02 PM
Urspo
Spoken like a true governmental employee!
April 25, 2017 at 2:11 AM
Paul Brownsey
Not relevant to the topic , but do you think her position could be legitimised as official Reducer of Rats in Tewkesbury? http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/791058/Council-cat-Tewkesbury-Town-Council-Gloucestershire
April 25, 2017 at 5:05 AM
Urspo
I vote for Missy to have that title. PB: I am halfway through your book; I am enjoying it so !
April 25, 2017 at 4:13 AM
Kato
Oowh. Two books! What’s the topic of the second one?
I would like more energy and less need for rest and sleep. Which is perhaps another way of wishing for more time. I wish I wouldn’t compare my energy levels with what they used to be.
I need more self acceptance.
April 25, 2017 at 5:03 AM
Urspo
One is my blog entries ; the other is a collection of my favorite recipes into one book.