by Michael Mahoney
I was speaking to someone the other day about the Christmas adverts being screened on TV, sales signs going up, posters proclaiming ‘great deals inside’ screaming at us from high street stores windows.
And it won’t stop until the very last minute, and then – yes its New Year sales, the same messages screaming at us from Boxing Day onwards. Buy 1 get one free, 3 for 2 offers, huge discounts offered (which would have been useful in the run up to Christmas by the way!) if you act immediately. The person I was speaking to already seemed resigned to the “carnage” of the Christmas late shopping nights to come.
Why do you go along with it I asked? Why do you get sucked in? Why respond in a way that is stressful? “What would you do then”? I was asked. I smiled and simply said I would refuse to get dragged along with all the hype, just as I have avoided it in past years.
Many years ago, I decided I was going to live my life the best I could. And that meant making more time for me, to do the things I wanted to do. Not everyone liked it, some decided to walk away and leave me to my “selfish ways”. But is looking after yourself selfish or is simply self-preservation?
The most important thing in my life, after Cate my partner, my family, and my health is time. Not money or possessions, time is key, for me at least. Once a moment has passed, we never get it back.
My respect of time, is much greater than money. What price do you put on the time spent listening to someone who is going through a difficult time, what price do you put on the time with your children, or grandchildren, what price do you put on just being there for someone who needs you?
For me, the gift of time is priceless. Time is passing, and we need to spend it wisely. I see time being wasted in so many ways, and maybe it’s because I am getting older that I think this way, but to be honest I doubt it. My respect for time is ingrained in me.
Queuing in hot bustling stores is not a good use of time. Thank goodness for the click and deliver services offered by many stores these days. Technology is great when it works for us, when we don’t allow it to enslave us. “So what is the best use of time” my friend asked? It is difficult to say as it depends what value we place on time. But for me, using time wisely, to do good, to make a difference is in my view a good use of time, so is self-development, learning to be a better person is also a good use of time. Learning that simple things give pleasure.
Some people believe the bigger the house, or car or more exotic the holidays the more successful they are. However for many, if they slowed down, and looked at their life, they might realise that they are spending huge amounts of time away from the family they love, and the homes they work to keep. And to be fair if that is acceptable to them, then I’m am pleased for them.
So this Christmas, and New Year, ask yourself if you are making the most use of your time. Is this how you want your future years to be? If you would like to use (at least) some of your time for self-growth then contact me on 01925 658322 or at www.michaelmahoneyhypnotherapist.com
Happy Christmas, and Happy New Year to all readers.
