We talk about "making time" and "taking time" pretty much the same way we talk about "making money" or "making withdrawals" (as a way of taking money).
Tonight being case and point: I have put off for days now sitting down with my blog, and finally my yearning has gotten the best of me. Instead of doing the dishes, I am staying put on my couch until I get an entry done. Not that I even have a ready subject in my head... But hey, it's not like I need to buy anything in particular as an excuse to allow myself to go shopping, right? The same way spending money on a new top offers a nice, little high, just telling myself that I can take the time to blog, in spite of the pile of dirty dishes stacked in the kitchen, puts a smile on my face.
At night when the hamster wheel of thoughts goes spinning in my mind, I am probably fantasizing as much about having more time as I am about having more money. I can't honestly say that one is more vital to me than the other. Sure, if I were a real yogi, I would argue that material things are mere symbols of pain-inducing desire, while more time would allow me the opportunity to connect with my divine self. But even tantric philosophy encourages seeing beauty and divinity in all things, and I would be lying if I didn't admit to enjoying certain luxuries...such as finding a bargain on designer clothes, drinking the perfect latte, staying at nice hotels while travelling, etc.
I've tried more and more to curb my desire to shop and replace it with more meaningful activities such as working out, meditating, reading, blogging, or just plain doing nothing. And sure, I'll buy that I am probably more likely to connect with myself while delving in creative types of hobbies, but I must confess that I am still in the process of trying to get ahead. It's not even about winning the lottery; it's always that little bit extra I'm striving for; the same one that inherently has me longing for the level after that, and the next one, and the next one.
Fortunately for me, it's not all about paychecks and side jobs. I'm lucky to actually feel passionate about what I do, whether it's teaching aspiring yogis to realize their potential or to help OT's find a suitable seating solution that benefits their patients. I work hard, and I have yet to feel that I've reached my own full potential, so I keep on trying to develop and deepen my skills.
In order to get anywhere with my endeavors, I have to invest a lot of time: early mornings, long days, nights away from home. I use the money I make to make the most of the time that is left. Paying to learn yoga is one example of using money to find a way to stay in shape physically, mentally, and spiritually while on the road (both literally and figuratively).
When calculating my combination of these two sources of currencies, time and money, I find the bottom line is that I am able to rejoice in the blessings I've acquired within my home and family. That being said, I figure the value of my life as a whole is really paying off.
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