Beech Tree News Network

This summer, my daughters and I have made walking a priority. We often walk twice a day (to break up the distance), trying to improve our health. I have noticed that I have to plan my other activities around the time used walking and showering. It is amazing how much time it takes for two rounds of walking, two showers and two times drying my hair. This has caused me to rethink my personal schedule.

We all have 24 hours each day, and most of us use many of those hours for basic necessities (Work hours are necessities for most people.). During the remainder of our time, we can choose what we do. Walking has been a choice for us. Many people choose other activities, like yardwork, hobbies, reading, watching TV or movies, computer games, sporting events, spending time with friends and/or family, etc. Each activity takes time and is a part of that day’s schedule, whether the schedule is fixed or flexible.

Many people have shared their thoughts about time and schedule choices. Some of those quotes are listed below (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/schedule_2.html):
•    The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. -Stephen Covey
•    There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule is already full. -Henry A. Kissinger
•    My hobbies include maintaining my physical and mental health. It's a full-time job. -Olivia Thirlby
•    The thing I love most about going on vacation is that I get to leave behind any kind of schedule. My entire life is scheduled from morning to night, and when I'm on vacation, there is no schedule. -Kelly Clarkson
•    I've got a hectic schedule, but I wouldn't have my life any other way. -Dominic Monaghan
•    As you schedule individual tasks, give yourself a cushion. Mark the due date a few days ahead of the actual deadline so you have time to deal with changes or last-minute emergencies. -Harvey Mackay
•    My daily schedule is quite hectic, but I have to put my health first in order to be the best mom and wife I can be. -Ellen Pompeo
•    So many people are insanely busy nowadays, and it's easy to say, 'Ah, I'll work out tomorrow.' But you have to set aside a time and stick to that schedule. -Derek Jeter
•    I'm not busy... a woman with three children under the age of 10 wouldn't think my schedule looked so busy. -Garrison Keillor
•    If you are under the illusion that you can start a business and run it at your life's schedule, you are mistaken. The business is like a starving puppy - when it needs to eat, then it needs to eat regardless of what you have going on personally. -Robert Herjavec

I asked friends and family what activities or events they have prioritized in their summer schedules this year. Their replies were:
•    Family time and pool time.
•    Vacation to visit family, trips to the water park with our kids, and running and dieting.
•    My brother’s wedding followed by a beach vacation and being more active (working out at least three times a week).
•    Exercise, swimming, activities with grandkids, and vacation to Greece.
•    I’ve been focusing on vacations, my wedding, and lesson planning!
•    Completing tasks, relaxation, and helping friends when they need it.
•    Practicing and shooting in the world archery tournament and going to church camp.
•    Relaxing.
•    Health and wellness.
•    Spending one to two days a week home from work with my daughter and working on my weight goal.
•    Vacation.
•    I always have a list of things to do, but my list of completions would be a much shorter list. My mama always told me that no matter how small, you should accomplish something every day. My priority is usually a work project – also resulting from my mama. Leisure and vacation were not a part of my growing up. I was taught we must work to survive, and this instilled in me the need to make that list.
•    Vacation, vacation, vacation! And in between, finishing some quilting/sewing projects and reading as many good books as possible. Rough life, but some people get to do it!
•    A walk every day with my dogs! I try to do it for them no matter what’s going on that day – barring extreme circumstances like bad weather.
•    I was blessed to be able to take my parents on a 1000-mile-one-way road trip to south Florida for a first-ever family reunion. It was a great week of making memories with family who live near and far. I hope to continue making extended family more of a priority. They bring so much happiness to my life and are such great encouragers.
•    Exercising, vacation, and spending time with family and friends.

Someone said, “You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails.” Much of our time is taken up with necessities, but we can still make choices regarding time. I’m “adjusting my sails” by spending some time improving my health because it’s time well spent.