Where Did All The Time Go?
By Kimberly Smith

Ahh-haa!

I finally found what I’ve been looking for…time!

It’s all around me and yet I have to fight like hell to get any. My previous daily grind consisted of parenting my four children (ages ranging from 2-15); cleaning a Texas-sized house (trust me, everything IS bigger in Texas!); making sure that my psychotic cat steers clear of my live plants; and religiously obedience training my three-month old black Lab.

Cake!

I can do that and still find time to write without losing any sleep. But alas, my efforts have dusted into nothing more than a tasteless, floury concoction.

(Insert my sad face here)

I’ve recently been appointed the roles of both Mom and Dad, while my husband spends two-week stretches across the country in New York. As part of the relocation process, I (lucky me) get to stay behind and deal with the pop-in visits from local realtors.

(If you’re looking for real estate in Arlington, Texas…call me!!!)

Needless to say, my publishing ambitions have taken a hard hit below the belt and the sucker punches hurt like a b#*&%! Trying to focus on writing, even a simple editorial, has become the second most painful experience (with childbirth reigning a solid first) producing a clear positive when all is said and done.

Reality has rudely interrupted me (again), temporarily foiling my ultimate plan of literary world domination. The adult in me has reluctantly chosen to embrace the annoying distractions overwhelming the better portion of my time, and suck it up without hurting any nearby, innocent bystanders; however, the kid in me wants to throw an all-out tantrum by hurling my fine China onto the floor, while cursing like a sailor who’s been out at sea for way too long!

Time is invaluable; we all know that, but what we often do is take it for granted. So as I’m diligently typing away in an effort to make my deadline, all I can think about is why haven’t I MADE time to do this earlier? Why haven’t I allotted myself an hour or so a day to do what I love? What makes ME happy! And for every excuse I give myself—and as valid as they may be—I can’t help but think that somehow I’m actually sabotaging my own efforts.

Daily life can easily get in the way of dreams, ambitions, goals and the like, but how we react to those challenges makes all the difference in the end result. I’m guilty of dropping the ball this time around and to make amends--with myself that is--I have to reestablish what I really want for myself.

Do I want to make time to write or not?

I know the answer for me, but what’s the answer for you?

Have you lost track of yourself and decided that you just can’t compete with endless spinning hands of the clock? Well don’t let Father Time get the best of you! Refuse the hold that he has and take back what is rightfully yours...YOUR time! Allow yourself ten minutes here, fifteen minutes there, and you’d be surprised how fast those minutes turn into hours. Once you’re into telling a story, it’s hard to do anything else. Now don’t go neglecting your responsibilities—that’s not what I mean. I’m only encouraging you to pursue your dreams in more of a, shall I say, “timely” manner. Organize your life to where writing is included and not scribbled down at the bottom of your crumbled up to-do list. Before you know it, time will once again be on your side and your efforts rewarded.

Keep in mind that for every work of art your eyes bear witness, every breathtaking garden you just have to tiptoe through, and every book that you are truly blessed to read, someone has taken out of their “time” to create each of these priceless masterpieces.

The bottom line is this: if you give nothing, you’ll get nothing.

Anything, worth something, takes time.

But you still have to MAKE it happen!