366: What to do with the extra 24 hours you always said you needed
Originally published: February 29, 2020
Well here it is, a dream come true – you have been gifted more time.
I know, I know, time is just a social construct, just an illusion, simply an idea; the truth is whatever your thoughts on time may be, I also know for certain that every one of us has said at one point, “I wish I had more time”.
As 2020 happens to be a leap year, and today marks the extra day on our calendar, my question is how will you spend your time?
Sure, it may seem like an ordinary day. My guess is most people will let it pass by with no thought. My challenge is for those who want to become more present in their lives and throughout the rest of the 365 days of the year. This may seem like a day just like all the others, but it is a reminder that we can always be grateful and live in the now rather than dwell on the past or get anxious about the future.
Wake up and smile.
No matter how down you were feeling yesterday or what your plans are for this weekend, take one moment before you get out of bed to smile and place your hands over your heart. Feel it beating. It works hard everyday to keep you alive, beating fast, beating slow, and refreshing your system every second.
Stretch and move.
If a yoga practice is not part of your daily routine, you can still feel the benefits of simply moving around and waking up your physical body with some stretching. I recommend a gentle Sun Salutation or just reaching your arms above your head on an inhale and back down as you exhale. You will start to feel invigorated, maybe a bit hot, but that is totally fine; energy is flowing through you and it means you are alive!
Deepen connections.
Have you ever been half-listening when you are in conversation with someone? It’s easy to smile and nod, but real connections are formed when we engage with what is in front of us. So practice deep listening, whether that is with your family members, friends, even being really present with your children and pets where we would normally be trying to multi-task.
Make time for the thing you love.
No matter what it is, use today to do the one thing that you claim you never have time for. Going for a walk, baking a dessert, painting, relaxing, and organizing– whatever you have been putting off because of “not enough time”! You are in complete control, so don’t let time be the reason you skip out on something that makes you feel joy.
Reflect.
At the end of the day, take some time to think about the way you spend your time. Asking yourself questions such as: What do I spend most of my time doing? Where would I like to give more of my time? What are some ways I can make each day feel full and satisfying? How can I live more presently each day and truly enjoy my here and now? The point of reflection is not to get stuck on what has been, but to acknowledge what is. It is a good way of checking in with your self each day. You may want to begin with a small breathing practice to tune in and then listen to what it is your soul needs you to hear.
I hope that you enjoy February 29th, as it only come once every 4 years! More than that, I hope that with each of the other 365 days, you find a sense of purpose and intention in every step you take. Finding the flow in life can be hard. Most people feel it when they do the things they are most passionate about, but I believe that the key to life is finding flow in every moment, even the ones that we want to hurry up. Let’s practice not rushing and savoring all the seconds, minutes, days, months, years…we have so much time, so let's use it wisely!
Baci e abbracci:)
Basha
