The Gift of Words and Time

We don't get here by ourselves, remember that. Photo by The Wanderlust Pilgrim

“If we learn from our mistakes, why are we so afraid to make them?”

Snail mail we call it - when email became the norm, writing and sending letters seemed archaic. I’ve found them a nostalgic activity that was reserved for those times when your words and thoughts needed more time, care and demanded your full attention.

Recently I wrote four short letters to my now former dancers, I will probably write a few more this week. For someone who hasn’t been in school for 17 years, I found my hand easily cramped in the beginning, so I had to take my time. Still, I knew the words were important and I persevered. They were words of gratitude, life lessons and my hopes for the days they have yet to live. It was more of a ‘see you later’ than a goodbye, because right now, I need time to sort my own life out.

There has been a big push back in recent times on the commercialism of the festive season (or any season for that matter), when we are becoming more self-aware of the impact having so much ‘stuff’ has in our lives and on the planet. Where does all that stuff end up when we no longer want or need it? It seems the more we have, the more we want, and the greater our levels of gluttonous consumption consumes us.

This year I am writing letters, or creating little gifts that can be consumed - to support local artisans and locally made goods. For those who know me, for the longest time my schedule has been time poor, so this year I am giving you my gift of time. You may get a letter or poem, maybe we will share a drink or two in the sunshine, a walk on the beach or even just a phone call. Reconnecting and enhancing my valued relationships is what I want this festive season.

When we were younger, time felt like an infinite resource. We could go to sleep and feel like procrastinating didn’t have such a significant consequence. Growing up were still many sleeps away, and we still had parents and adults to worry about our futures for us.

Then one day we woke up, and one by one those life decisions are up to us to make. When we made mistakes, our parents or other adults are no longer there to bail us out. Welcome to Adulting 101.

As we head into the festive season and a new year is only a couple of weeks away - I reflect on what 2018 is going to bring. A new start. A new home. Release. Freedom. Whatever it is, I’m going to enjoy what is left of 2017 - because always looking to the future can make you miss the magic of what is in front of you.

I don’t know what my plans are for New Year’s Eve yet, it’s always been a last minute thing. I’ll just worry about it after Christmas. What I know for sure is that these moments are precious, so let’s enjoy it while it lasts and toast to a new one when the clock strikes twelve!