Monday, May 10, 2010

Making Time


As I waited at the door for the car pool this morning, I had a book in hand, trying in vain to finish those last couple pages of a chapter before my coworker arrived. So it was with book in hand that I climbed into the car.

“Brought along some reading material today, did you?”
“Always.” I replied. “I usually have a book with me.”
“When do you find the time to read?”
“You make the time,” I said.
“Oh, you make the time.” I ignored the hint of sarcasm.
“Yes, you make the time. This is book 25 so far this year.”
"You’ve read 25 books already this year?!” he said, incredulous.
“Yes, 25. Well, 24 and a half, actually, since I’ve not quite finished this one. I read 85 last year.”
That seemed to shut him up.

It always amazes me how many people claim they don’t have time to read, write, craft, garden or exercise. Here’s the thing: if something truly matters to you, you make the time. How many hours do people spend sitting idly in front of the TV? How many hours spent commuting by train or bus, staring blankly into space? How many hours waiting to pick up kids from school, sports or other events?

You’d be amazed what you can accomplish in 10 or 20 minute increments a day.

When I run errands, I usually do so by bus. That is about a half-hour uninterrupted reading time each way—a good chapter or three, depending on the author. I love watching football and figure skating on television during the winter, but I cannot just sit for hours on end doing nothing at all. I use that TV time for stitching or stamping, or even writing letters to friends. You’d be amazed how much you can accomplish during a two or three hour block of time.

We had cold and windy weather here over the weekend. I could have spent all of yesterday comatose in front of the TV, blindly watching back-to-back movies I’ve already seen a dozen times. Instead, I spent about eight hours yesterday reading. That isn’t to say I did not watch any television at all, just that I did not waste the entire day doing so.

I have always been a reader. I remember carrying armloads of books home from the library as early as first grade. Books matter to me. Reading matters to me. No matter what is going on in my life, I find some time during the day to read, even if only a half hour before going to work or before bed.

You make time for what matters to you.



8 comments:

divineflygirl said...

Isn't that so true! I read all the time as well and people are constantly asking, "How do you find the time to read??" I enjoy it, so I find the time. I read when my husband is driving, when we are sitting around. I read at my kids sporting events. Whenever there is downtime, I am reading!

Heather said...

Ah, someone who understands! But then, I knew amyone who loved books and reading as much as I, would. It's nice to meet a kindred spirit!

Alice Audrey said...

Fine! I'll go exercise. But I'd rather just sit here and keep reading.

Heather said...

Psst...Hey, Alice - did you know you can read and exercise at the same time? *g*

And don't forget to write. *WEG*

Jana said...

I don't understand people who DON'T like to read. I mean, what's not to like? It's a whole new world outside of the crazy one we live in and each one can be as different as you want it to be. If I didn't have books to escape to, I'd be crazy...or crazier. hehehe

Heather said...

Jana: No comment on you being crazier, but - yeah... LOL

To quote Mark Twain, The only thing worse than the man who cannot read, is the man who can and does not.

Kathy Martin said...

Thanks for visiting my Teaser Tuesday. I am a new follower. I think that this is so true. I don't have time to exercise but I have plenty of time to read! You do make time for what matters to you. Happy reading!

Unknown said...

I totally agree with you (and it seems most of your readers as well). I get that question all the time..when do you find the time? I usually respond with: "well..what do you do at night and on the weekends?" and usually it's watching tv.. I say..I watch some tv, but I read most of the time instead.

I also get up at 5am just to exercise. lol I usually work out for an hour in the morning and sometimes I'll run in the evening too. I can't lie, I'm looking forward to being finish with the p90x program so I can back to running every other day or every day..but for now..I'll get a run in after work when I can.