Make time.
Tags:Last weekend when I was driving down to Southern Oregon I had some time to think. Driving tends to be a good "thinking-time" for me. There is nothing else to distract (besides keeping my eyes on the road) and my mind seems to just kinda get going.
Looking back at my notes (I have to write this stuff down - I slow down and move over to the right lane) the number one thing I wrote down was MAKE TIME.
Make time for what?
To see & appreciate the little stuff. To snuggle on the couch. To read. To sit at the dinner table together (this is a hard one for us). To slow down. To exercise. To CREATE stuff. To live with intent. To take deep breaths. To tell your story. To go to the doctor. To make healthy meals. To change your job. To change your life. To do something that matters to you.
Making time can have a direct, positive impact on your own life. Over the last couple of years, through this crazy journey I have been on, I have really seen how this can make a difference. I feel different because I am conscious of the little stuff. Because I try to pay attention.
Making time is not easy. It takes effort. I have to stop myself from doing what I normally do (going through the motions) and institute a change. Daily effort. But it is all good because it works.
Today, make time to do what you want. Maybe it is as simple as brewing up a big pitcher of sun tea. Maybe it is taking that first step to investigate a new profession. Maybe it is putting on your athletic shoes and stepping out the front door (with or without kids in toe) because you know you need to get healthy. Make time. I can do this. You can do this.

Comments
Sign in or sign up to comment.
89 comments
Make time for me! I am normally the last one on the time list.
That is changing!
Awhile back I posted that you make me want to "live with intent". So to do that I need to be in better health. Glad to report that so far I have committed to walking with a group of gals and I am 30 lbs. less of an un-needed me. Thank you for the inspiration.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Thank you so much for your insights....I really have taken on board your last comments, they really rang true for me at this moment. I read your site daily, and love what you have to say. I also have been inspired by the information on your son. I met a women the other day who had an autistic boy about 4 years and he was snatching toys of my son. At the time I didnt know he was autistic and tried to deal with the situation as best as I could. I eventually went to the mum, as she wasnt dong anything about it, and her instant response was.....He is autistic, and walked away from me. I followed her and said that it was great to know that as I will handle the situation a little differently next time. She then can at me with, I am not judged by my child. I was talking to her about him, not talking about her, and I thought what a sad response as that showed to me how she sees her sons autisum. I felt sad for him. On a happier note, I am soooo excieted to be doing your classes here in New Zealand in August, will be looking forward to meeting you. Thank you :-)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
ali
dh made time to change his job here... it has been literally a small hell for this family- yet- his happiness is good. i'm not complainig because the hard part of the huge loan and lack of seeing him etc... will even out later on. it will be okay. :)
the dinner table= struggles here too. but it is important. i see as the kids get out of the preschooler phase, it wiil get easier. good reminders! thanks!!!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Wow Ali, you are absolutely an awesome woman. Your husband and son are two lucky people to have you in their lives. I so enjoy reading your blog, You always inspire me, always!!!
If I could just an ounce of your brain in mine I would be a better person for it. You always give me something to think about, little things that are so important in our crazy lives we all lead.
I truly believe it's the little things that really make us happy!!! So I am going to "make time" to do all those important little things in life.
Thanks for your powerful and inspirational posts. You are truly a gift to us all.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Making time to have a cup of tea and read your blog is so uplifting! I could have never thought that life art would have led me to such amazing places! Thanks for this!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Thanks Ali. This is just what I needed to hear today. I have also been so incredibly busy with everthing around me and have been forgetting to take some time for me.Thanks for the reminder!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
That is so strange that you wrote this today. Yesturday I was thinking of e-mailing you to ask "How do you find the time to do all that you do"? To create, to be in a profession that is totally you, to take care of a family. I wonder half the time where my time went and what I did with it. Your comment brings it together, if you don't know what happened to time, make time.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Thank you for this Ali...you've really inspired me today (like always). It's like you knew exactly what I needed to read this morning.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Thank you for reminding us all to do this. It seems life gets in the way most of the time...laundry, cleaning house, work, cooking, shopping... It's so important to nurture the relationships we have with our families and with ourselves. Thanks for helping us find a way to remember to do this!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Stop, for just a moment, to take in and savor a little life. It's the entry made in my own blog, just before I visited yours. So you can imagine how serendipitous your statement, "Make time" seemed to me; how well it resonates with what I’m feeling today! Thanks Ali!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Thanks Ali! I get a lot out of your blog, and the reminder to take some time for ourselves really hit home. I've lost 65 pounds in the last few years, but I still have about 40 to go, and I think you've given me the "jog" I needed to get busy on this last 40 pounds! I've come this far...I just wish someone or something could inspire me to exercise. I absolutely hate it! I do like to walk, so I'm getting back into the walking...
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
thanks for this post -- i'm going to write down things i have been wanting to do but that just linger inside. i am so grateful for your words and encouragement found in this blog.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
all i can say is Amen to making time!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali you are so right. I appreciate you and your insight on just the normal things in life. Thanks...
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali,
I am sitting here right now at this moment with tears in my eyes. Thank you. I am going to print this out and try and make some changes. You inspire so many each and every day. You have inspired me. Thank you.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali and all who are a part of your blog family -- this was a great thread to read. Important things for us all to consider as we navigate the daily roads of our lives. I want to thank Michelle for that awesome quote by Kenneth Nerburn (I need to research who he is!) -- I am going through a major transition in my life and this quote was actually joyful to read. Also...Ali, maybe you need to buy a little recorder or dictaphone so we don't all have to worry about you recording your thoughts while you're behind the wheel!!! Thanks and peace, Diane
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
So wish I had learned this when I had little ones at home. Now they are grown, and I am taking what time I have to savor all that comes my way. It's tough to keep that focus in our overly busy lives.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali,
You don't know me, but I am one of the masses that read your blog faithfully. I was watching the NBA playoffs last night and thought of you during the half time show. I wondered if you saw it, and if not you need to see this story. They did a story on a boy named Jason McElwain. Jason is autistic, 17 years old, and the manager of his high school basketball team. The last game of the season his couch decided to let him suit up with the other players. He had no intention of letting him play. But during the final minutes of the game he put Jason in to play. If you haven't seen in or heard about it, I don't want to spoil the ending for you. If you do a search for Jason's name, you will easily find the video. It is a "Rudy" moment. Inspiring beyond words. I hope that you will see it and that it will encourage you and warm your heart. God bless you and sweet Simon. Karen Scott
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Oops, I said "couch" instead of COACH! My bad!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Saluti..
voi ottenuto interessare lavoro .
Io alberini della sega dove uomo era desideri a del controllo -
Radiotelefoni usati prima dell'avvento dei telefoni cellulari [URL=http://foto-cellulari.it-cellulari.com]foto cellulari[/URL]
Con nostra organismo shockwave materialmente cellulari document termine convenien
ti. E .. Noi non poteva ritrovamento fresco soddisfare dove presenti, Seen qui http://batterie-cellulari.it-cellulari.com/ - batterie cellulari
Ammetta quello cercato alcuni :-(
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.