5 More Minutes…

When I was the mother of 3 young children, the chorus often sung at home was “Can we have just 5 more minutes?”  Whether they were  playing a game, hanging from the monkey bars at the park, or glued to their game boy… their chorus was consistent:  …”just fiiiiiive  moooore minutes please?”

What things do you do now, where you have that same sentiment or feeling? How often do you have the thought, this is so great, I just want to keep doing it?  Maybe for you it’s hiking, a great round of golf, being out in the water in whatever size watercraft that floats your boat, or visiting a foreign country that you don’t want to leave.

Do you still have those “5 more minutes” thoughts?  Or has your life become so routine, rote, full of rules, roles and responsibilities that there is virtually nothing that you desire 5 more minutes with, other than perhaps your cell phone?

Visiting with my 91 y.o. mom and 87 y.o.dad, is such a reminder that we all think we have more time than we do.

I’ve heard countless times from clients, friends, and even acquaintances that share their desire to travel to another country, take up scuba diving, learn a language, instrument or dance. Most recently an older friend shared with me that he’s always wanted to go skydiving. He's 80.

Because we have no frame of reference for life existing without us- we only know life as we have experienced it living here- it is easy to think we have time…

We can’t imagine the day that this world goes on without us in it.  But in fact, that very thought rather than being morbid or fearful can be used to motivate.

Our time here is FINITE. LIMITED. We all have an expiration date.

When we actually pause our busyness to ponder that, only then are we likely to take the minutes of our lives and use them more wisely…

I’ve often said, if minutes were money, how would you spend them?

Instead of days, months, years spent on doing things habitually, what if we paused to ask ourselves, who and what really matters.

What are the things we want to accomplish before we depart?

What acts of service or legacy do we want to leave for those who have known and loved us?

What are the heartfelt words we want others to share at our funeral or memorial service?

What meaningful words do the people around us need to hear from us now?

What places do we want to visit before we die?

It is safe to say that most of us operate on repeat… we largely do the same things daily and sometimes that is out of necessity.  We have to care for babies, children, work or tend to aging parents.

And truth be told, our brains need some predictability and routine to thrive.

With that said, what if we no longer put off the things that we say matter to us?

What if we always wanted to go to Ireland, and we actually start planning and saving for the trip?  What if we let go of the idea that we have to have thousands and thousands to take a trip like that?  (Would you rather stay at an inexpensive hostel and get to traipse around Ireland than never to go at all?)

Consider the times, people, places that you wish you could have 5 more minutes with?

Do you love your work that you wish for 5 more minutes to do it?  Do you have a passion for your hobby, sport, work, business or serving others?

If we are not living out some of our passions in some way, we are not thriving.  (That is different from gluttony, where people seek out numerous forms of pleasure daily often at the expense of others…)

Put your phone down.  Only pick it up at set times each day.

Ask yourself, who matters to me that I want to spend more time with? Call them. Invite them out to walk or have lunch.  Make time and space for all those that matter to you. Family first, and then friends etc.  Make date nights happen now with your partner.  Put down your phone and see and hear your child.  Play with them like it’s your last opportunity. 

Look up at the sky.  Take a walk in nature.  Plan that skydiving excursion.  Look at a map and decide where you want to go-solo, with a partner or friend, and start planning the trip.

The clock is ticking, Time’s a wastin’…  Because life is full of wonder, and there are still good people, and beautiful things and places to explore when we pause to be curious and open minded.

Every time I leave a visit with my parents, I am keenly aware it may be the last.  I know the day will come that they will be on the other side, and I will long for 5 more minutes.

Don’t be that person on your deathbed ( or next to someone you love ) full of regrets, and longing for just 5 more minutes…

Your time to live is now. To thrive is now.  To not have any more wasted minutes.  To choose intentionally how you spend those minutes.  To Explore, Risk, Try something new on the menu. Surprise your partner.  Move your body. Take a trip. Learn a language. Bake banana muffins. Dance in the rain.

Savor every precious moment with those you love.

Savor every joy filled experience.

Your time is NOW.