3 Reasons To Be Thankful for Time

As the years quickly spool behind me, I've realized that one of the things to be thankful for is time. Yes, I'm grateful for real time.

Time is central to our lives. In different ways, every major milestone, birthday, anniversary, first, and final is marked and celebrated by the passing of time.

You may think that's odd - to be thankful for time. Why not your loved ones or your home or anything else?

Time is much more than an interval of measurement. It's a creator of memories that honor life's small joys. Time is the most valuable commodity we have. And here's the irony. Time can't be bought or sold.

Time can only be savored, measured, and appreciated. You can save time by trading one consumption of your time for another. But in the end...

Time and tide wait for no man."
Geoffrey Chaucer

Time is the most important thing we have in this world. But its fleeting nature makes it even more precious. We don't know how much time we have here—another irony. Here's your gift of life - you may have one year or 100 years to complete it, but you'll never know.

Thankful For Time Together

I recently watched a beautiful story in a 60 Minutes interview with Tim Green. His time is nearing an end as he battles Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis‎. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder known as Lou Gehrig's disease. In his most poignant sentiment, Green stated,

Life can never be long enough."
Tim Green

In the interview, Tim Green said he has everything right now, despite his successful football career and now failing physical health, because he has time to live life with his family every day.

The story explains that Tim Green was adopted, so 'everything' to him means family. The Greens' grown children all live in the same neighborhood and eat dinner together five nights a week.

Some people are lucky enough to spend even one holiday dinner with their grown children, let alone five nights a week. It's essential to make the most of our time together.

When we're young, we believe we have all the time in the world. It's not until we become older and begin reading thankful quotes that we realize the preciousness of time.

At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend, or a parent."
Barbara Bush

I Am Thankful For Time With Loved Ones

I'd have to say my best advice is to spend time with your loved ones. Be stingy with time spent on meaningless things and generous with the time you give to those you love. That's it. Simple.

When my youngest daughter was little, she always had me kissing her boo-boos. I did it because, as every mother knows, it makes them feel better. What took me a long time to understand was why.

Kisses don't have healing powers, or do they?

One day my little girl asked me to kiss her boo-boo. Pressed for time, I hurriedly obliged. She cried, telling me it wasn't any good because my kiss didn't have any love.

She was trying to tell me that I didn't spend enough time with her. Because I absentmindedly kissed her pain away, it didn't work. I didn't pay enough attention to her at that moment. I didn't spend enough time with her in her moment of pain; however minor it seemed wasn't the point. My daughter wanted my time.

It's the everyday things that become the important things.

Cindy Lauper's classic lyrics remind me of the push and pull of time when it comes to raising our children. The song is a little bittersweet.

You said go slow, I fall behind, the second hand unwinds."
Cindy Lauper, Time After Time

Thank You For Your Time

Time is important. The increasing pace and distance of our daily lives seem to pull us further away from time with each other.

So how do we find the time to spend with each other?

Sharing a pot of tea is a perfect way to spend time together. Tea is very social. It's the vehicle that allows us to share and connect.

The process of brewing and sharing tea embraces the slowing of time, a momentary escape. It's a reason to take a break, relax, and slow down. To find our focus and appreciate the little things. It is as much about brewing and drinking tea as it is about sharing time with others.

One of the sweetest things my parents shared was a pot of tea every night after dinner. It was their time to talk and reconnect after a day apart. Pictured is the Wedgwood Ivy House teapot my mother used. She is no longer with us, but her teapot and love remain.

Wedgwood Ivy House teapot tankful for time sharing tea

Is Gratitude The Secret to Happiness?

Oliver Sacks wrote in his book Gratitude that gratitude is the secret to happiness. I believe this is true. I know I should be thankful every day, not just this day. Too often, I forget.

Some people suggest a gratitude journal as a much-needed reminder not to forget the good things. But you won't need a journal if you can express gratitude in thankful moments the entire year.

My predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved. I have been given much and I have given something in return. Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure.”
Oliver Sacks

I am very grateful to spend my time with the family I love. The extraordinary thing about family and dear friends is that our hearts and minds hold each others' stories, which bring laughter, eye rolls, and sometimes tears. We are forever a part of each other.

Our family and friends wrap us with love and support every day, even when they are not with us. But no matter where we come from, we all share the same desire - time with loved ones.

As we celebrate the holiday season, I want you to know how grateful I am to you for continuing to read my posts and being a part of this beautiful tea and writing journey.

And if you are a subscriber, I am thankful for your time opening my emails and reading them all through! I know you have lots to do, so I don't take your time lightly.

I wish you and your loved ones a peaceful and joyful holiday. ♡

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