The Gift of Time

Over the last few months I've given myself a special treat. (No, I did not wait for Christmas!) I signed up to have once a month sessions with a life coach for writers. Yes, it's pricey, but the few hours I've spent on the phone with her have been life-changing.

In one of our exercises, I was given a gift. Okay, it wasn't something I could touch, but I could see it when I closed my eyes. In my mind there was no fancy wrapping paper or exquisite bow, but with my life coaches' permission, I mental opened something my heart longed for. Was it a new house? A vacation in Maui? A trip to the New York Times Bestseller list? No, what I gave myself (once I was given permission) was a blank calendar. BLANK.

Currently, my calendar is anything but blank. I have written down the days I'm blogging where (I like to get around on the web). My kids' sport practices and times. My church classes and radio interviews. Christmas parties and book deadlines. (The last one is the most time-consuming and overwhelming.) Whew.

The idea of a blank calendar was so . . . well, so . . . so exactly what I needed.

Then, the life coach gave me an assignment--to buy a new calendar for the new year. She also gave me permission . . . to fill it up as I pleased (and as it pleased God), giving myself permission to schedule in quiet time, coffee time with friends, and even reading time as I need them. (Isn't that how it always is, these needs get pushed to the side for the "greater good" of family life?!)

So right now, my new calendar sits on my desk. Yes, it's under a pile of to-do items, but it's a good start.

How about you? Does a blank calendar sound like a wonderful gift?

I hope so, because I'm passing on the request to you: buy one. Now, fill it as you desire and God leads. It's in your hands.

Really, I give you permission.