Optimism doesn’t wait on facts. It deals with prospects. Pessimism is a waste of time.
~ Norman Cousins
At this time of year, it is so easy to feel overwhelmed.
A belief that there is so much to do and so little time drains energy and becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
On a personal note, while we tend to focus more on experience than gift exchange in our family, there are presents we ordered, including annual family calendars capturing memorable photos from the previous year, lost in transit. It’s not a good sign when vendors volunteer to refund your money after following up with couriers.
We have not arranged holiday visits with extended family members for legitimate reasons, including adverse weather conditions.
Clearing snow has, at times, become a full-time job. We have had a disproportionate amount of snow relative to other places in Southern Ontario.
As I contemplated posting a blog, I started spiralling into a time-scarcity mindset.
Gratitude helps reframe time-scarcity.
Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life.
~ Rumi
I had to pause and contemplate recent accomplishments to activate a time-optimism mindset.
Yesterday, sixteen days after our furnace was red-tagged for hazardous propane discharge, we finally got the part lost in transit. Thank you to a thoughtful tradesperson who volunteered to pick it up from a warehouse hours away. We are ecstatic to have heat at the touch of a thermostat again.
We learned that, while not easy, we could survive Canadian winters without a functional furnace.
Clearing snow from vehicles before venturing out is no longer necessary. Our cars are now in a garage built on schedule despite weather and supply chain challenges. We are just assembling cabinets and painting with gratitude for a project that has exceeded expectations.
Meaningful labour keeps us fit and functional without worrying about building exercise into our day.
Yesterday, I drove myself to run errands for the first time in December. Since the blizzard, the unpaved roads have become challenging to navigate. The road maintenance crew worked tirelessly to make it possible.
A package was delivered to our doorstep for the first time in weeks. Since the Canada Post strike in mid-November, other couriers have been overburdened and unable to travel or prioritize remote locations. Thankfully, the strike is over.
Rather than taking them for granted, when I recall recent successes with gratitude, I feel less overwhelmed.
Closing thoughts
Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.
~ Wayne Dyer
Gratitude has been my go-to method to reframe my relationship with time, helping me work towards a time-abundant mindset.
I trust that there is always enough time to achieve my goals and tasks.
When we approach time management with flexibility and optimism, rather than stress, anxiety, and scarcity, we cultivate greater focus and productivity and ultimately achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life.
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