A Moment of Gratitude: Celebrating the Gift of Time

Have you ever stopped to wonder how you measure time?

Is it by the watch on your arm? Or is it by how many hours you have left to put in at work before you can go home? Or do you wake up on a Monday morning and think to yourself, "Only four more nights of sleep and it's Friday!"? Have you ever stopped to consider how many breaths you take in a minute or how many heartbeats you have in an hour? Today I'm talking about the gift of time and how it can be used to reflect, reconnect and gain control of our thoughts.

Three years ago, I got really sick and it took me on a journey through hospital visits, emergency surgeries, and more. I was scared and overwhelmed, but I eventually realized that fear and anxiety can be managed with awareness and understanding. Through this experience, I've learned that time is a precious gift, and I want to share my story and help others take the time to appreciate it. So if you're interested, keep reading – it will be worth your time!

I was rushed to the emergency room by ambulance and, without realizing it, my journey began. At the time, I thought it would be a random diagnosis that could be treated with a week of antibiotics and I'd be on my way to recovery. Well, it was a random diagnosis, but it took much more than one week of antibiotics. In fact, it took almost five months of antibiotics, one laparoscopic wash, two drains, four emergency visits to the hospital, a combined total of six weeks in a hospital bed, one emergency surgery, twelve inches of bowel removed, and, finally, a diagnosis of colon cancer. Yup, the universe was playing hardball.

I started 2019 with big plans. I wanted to mark my 50th with a big bang. It was going to be epic. But when I thought of "epic," I was thinking of a trip to Greece or backpacking through Europe, not a diagnosis that could potentially mark the end of my time. I was paralyzed with fear. I had questions, but nobody seemed to have any answers. How much time do I have? I hadn't done all that I wanted to do in life yet. I was frustrated with the universe. It felt like time stood still, almost like everything was in slow motion. I felt like I needed to figure everything out right then and there. The more I realized I had no control, the quicker fear and anxiety set in.

Fear of the passing of time can be overwhelming.

It's like a game of Pac-Man, where you're trying to fit all the things you want to do in life before the clock runs out. I've come to realize something through this: fear is a state of mind. It's created by a thought. Consider this: a frightening thought enters your mind and you immediately feel fear. When you receive news, you create stories in your mind, and those stories change the connections between neurons in your brain. These connections send signals throughout your brain to produce chemicals in your body, which create a feeling.

Anxiety and fear can be managed by changing our thoughts. I know what you're thinking - it's not that easy! And you're right, it isn't. It's not easy because we are conditioned to think in certain ways, often without even realizing it. Here's what I’m suggesting: The next time you experience anxiety or fear, take a moment to become aware of your thoughts. What are you thinking at that moment? You might say, "I don't know what I'm thinking," but you do! There's a thought in your mind that's creating that feeling. If you start becoming aware of your thoughts, you're halfway to taking control of your feelings. It'll take practice, but if you understand that you have control, that's half the battle!

So, what does all this have to do with the gift of time?

Well, since my diagnosis, I have been given the greatest gift of all: time. Time to reflect on all that I do have in life, rather than worrying about what I don't have. Time to reconnect with me and figure out my purpose here on Earth. To discover my thought patterns and why I do what I do. To gain control of my thought patterns and realize that I do have control over how I live my life. To live without fear and anxiety and be full of love and gratitude. That's what time has given me.

Time has become my teacher and I have learned to appreciate the moments I have been given and to be mindful of my thoughts. I strive to live in the present with intention and purpose as if every moment is my last.

The gift of time is something that we all have access to, yet it's something we often take for granted.

We get so wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life that we forget to take a step back and appreciate the moments we have been given. By taking the time to appreciate the present moment, we can create the life we want to live – a life of abundance and mindfulness. So, the next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and appreciate the gift of time. Use it to reflect and reconnect with yourself, and to gain control of your thoughts. Appreciate the moments you have been given and be thankful for them.