Tick, Tock…Tick, Tock…

Time: the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.

Time. Life’s big mystery.  An observed phenomenon.  And the ever-present answer to every question of the heart and soul.

“In time, things will get better.”  “Give Time time…” “Time heals all wounds.” “Timing is everything.”  “This too shall pass in time.” “Just take it one day at a time.”  “Time changes everything.”  “It will happen when the time is right.” “All in due time.”

Tick tock, tick tock.  

So when do you know when enough time has passed, or the “time is right”?  How do you know when things will get better or when the wounds are healed?  How much time will that take?  6 weeks?  6 months?  6 years?

When?  People love to respond to your heart questions with “time” answers.  But how do you truly know when? And what are you supposed to do in the meantime, while you’re patiently (not-so-patiently) waiting for Time to work its magic?

Time does nothing for anxiety. Time doesn’t tuck you in for a restful night’s sleep. Waiting for time to pass requires precisely that:  waiting.  But waiting can breed more anxiety and increase worry.   Waiting also needs an enormous amount of faith and trust that things will be ok.

Tick tock, tick tock.

So what is the answer?? Because I am at the point in my life where the token response of “Give Time time…” no longer cuts it.  The act of waiting for a person with anxiety is pure torture. (#patienceisnotmyvirtue) Let’s add to the fact that, usually, you’re exhausted and emotionally spent as well.  It isn’t a solution. Instead,  it is what people say when they don’t know what else to say.  Right?? True??

Well…maybe not.  Maybe the answer to the heart’s question is not about waiting.  Maybe
the answer is acting.  Doing.  Staying actively present and running into the storms instead of waiting them out?

Maybe  it is more like the time is now or of the essence.  Maybe the real solution is the awareness that time is not a guarantee.   The realization that time is a gift.  A gift you are given every morning you open your eyes.

Time is precious. It is true that in some situations, time is a necessity to find wholeness again.  Times of loss or grieving.  But for those other moments when your heart asks those tough questions, the answer is now.

Tick tock, tick tock.

Time has an unmeasurable value. Staying present and actively taking a step forward during the storm, requires the same amount of trust and faith as waiting does. Choosing to move forward without any guarantees is one of the bravest decisions a person can make.

Yes. Sometimes, you have to dare to jump.  Time does not come with an eternity card.  Maybe the answer to your heart’s question is your heart. Your inner self. To find the courage and listen wholly to what it is whispering (or yelling, if yours is a yeller).

Be brave and embrace your journey.  That is the answer to “Is this the right time?”

So go out for that run, sign up for that class, register for that race, speak up for yourself, tell someone you love them, lose the weight,  go on that trip, apply for that new job, eat healthier, change your environment…just do it and keep moving forward.

Take that leap of faith and dare to jump.

Time. Life’s mystery.  Like The Rolling Stones sang, “Time is on my side.” And I will choose to treasure it as a gift, not an unknown.  Today I will choose to be brave. I will remember to embrace my journey.   The time is now because “there is no time like the present.”

So what are you waiting for?

Moving like the minute hand,

J