Do you often feel that you run out of time?
Are you friends with time or is it a constant
challenge to find more?
What time are you on?
We just returned from three wonderful days hiking
in the desert.
Sleeping in basic accommodation, eating lots of
picnics and hiking through breathtaking scenery,
deep shifting colors and wild bison everywhere!
On the second day we were advised to go on a
wonderful hike that started ‘just 10 minutes’ down
the road. We set off. Forty minutes later we
still had not found the track and were sure we had
not missed it.
We stopped to check our maps and our directions
and realized that it was just up ahead. It was as
beautiful as we were advised. We also realized
that the directions were in ‘desert time’!
That term had been used the evening before when we
asked what time the local jazz concert was
starting. They said 9pm…desert time. We
realized it would not start before 10 and was an
all-nighter, best not to take the kids!
It started me thinking about time.
So often we feel the pinch of time; deadlines
imposed or imagined can rule our lives. Projects
that are on a tight timeframe, we often assume are
non-negotiable, without even checking. Books we
don’t have time to read. Visits to relatives and
friends that we don’t have time to make. A
bedside story, that we don’t have time to tell.
I started wondering, what is the story about time?
What is your story about time?
What if we were to live in a constant state of
‘desert time’?
I imagine it would go something like this:
Wake up because of the light and the sounds of
birdsong.
Yoga stretch and breathe in the immense desert
landscape, the fresh dry air.
Plan the day but go with the flow of flexibility
and moving moments.
Be inspired by the views that prove the enormous
power and strength of the earth’s history and
destiny, the physical proof of great shifts that
are occurring all around us.
This is a love story.
A love story, not just about beautiful locations
and wonderful vacations; it is a love story about
taking the time and space to be truly present.
This is a story that we can all use, no matter
what your relationship is with time is like.
Close your eyes, take a deep breath and imagine a
desert scene. Now breathe in desert time.
And live it for today.
It will do you the world of good!
What does desert time mean to you?
How do you live it?
Please leave a comment here –
Best wishes and best stories
Lisa
Lisa,
Great story about “desert time.” I had friends that lived in Lagos, Nigeria some years ago and they told a similar story about the attitude toward time. The consistent answer when they asked any local when something would happen was “after some time.” Obviously, the Nigerians were accustomed to living with a very fluid sense of time. Things happened in their course. As my friends had little or no control of most of the things on which they were waiting, they also developed a much more relaxed way of living, finding the rhythm of life around them.
Thanks Greg, yes, that sounds familiar….
After retiring 10 years ago, I spent two years in an RV touring the US and Canada. I then spent eight years in a desert homestead cabin in the Morongo Valley. Located on five acres, overlooking Joshua Tree National Park, 20 minutes (part way on dirt roads) from the nearest store, with only two neighbors within a half mile radius. Desert time has truly been a way of life since retiring here. The peacful quiet of starlit nights with the the dusty visage of the Milky Way stretched across the sky. Quail, road runners, jack rabbits, desert squirrels and the occasional coyote wandering across the back four acres show the beauty of nature.
Not all desert time is for the best, though. Just ask the repairman who says he will be there on Tuesday at two, but you are lucky to see him by Thursday at four. Waking up to the rays of the morning sun are not as nice when sunrise is at 5:30.
My wife and I have now lived in Las Vegas for three months, still the desert, but with the advantages of civilization (lots of restaurants and live entertainment). Las Vegas also brought us out of desert time, with the study required to become executive/buisness coaches and opening our consulting/coaching business. Luckily, we are still a couple minutes from the ‘outback’ when we want to see the desert in all its wonder and revert temporarily back to desert time.
What a great trip and a great experience Daniel, thanks for sharing! Best wishes, Lisa
Hi Lisa:
My “desert” time is looking at the blue, blue cloudless sky in the Fall, after the summer haze is gone..savoring the last golden rays of warmth – listening for the Canada geese to fly back to us; to winter over on the river behind our house…and when spring comes again, relishing the new green. All year, it is the sound of our grandchildren’s laughter and sitting quietly with a cup of tea..and soon, looking forward to our trip to Israel and precious moments with you and your family in your beloved country.
XO
Merle
Always wonderful to hear from you Merle, can’t wait for your visit too!
Hi Lisa,
I’m old enough to have experienced childhood on “desert time” As a new mom, I lived on remote islands in the south Pacific where it was called “island time.” so very sweet for all. Now as a parent, in a faster paced world I try to keep room for breathing time in our lives but it is really work, a constant challenge…..your story is lovely, thank you for the possibility.
Thanks so much for your comment Lisa, best wishes