Room in My Life for People

"There isn't time, there isn't time
To do the things I want to do,
With all the mountain-tops to climb,
And all the woods to wander through,
And all the seas to sail upon,
And everywhere there is to go,
And all the people, every one
Who lives upon the earth, to know,
There's only time, there's only time
To know a few, and do a few,
And then sit down to make a rhyme
About the rest I want to do."
--Eleanor Farjeon

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Sometimes I feel like I'm trying to smoosh-smash-squeeeeeeze everything I want to do/be/become into this way-too-small suitcase labeled Time. I have work to do, books to read, books to write, meals to cook, blog posts to write, blog posts to read, miles to run, a toddler to snuggle, a husband to romance, a house to clean, the-list-goes-on-and-on-my-friend...

The point is that when Time is crunched, it's easy to forget about what matters most. 

I watched a video clip recently - Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch's last lecture. He is dying from pancreatic cancer and his speech is emotionally-charged, humorous, and bittersweet. He gives a lot of good points, but I especially love the part where he tells the story of dumping soda all over his new car to prove to his nephew and niece that "life is about people, not things." 

I know this. I really do. But it's easy to get lost in the house, the job, the blog, the chores. All things.

I don't want to be like that. I want to embrace people - family, friends, even you (my online readers).

I want to move out the clutter and make room for people. 

That's what's on my mind tonight.

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12 comments on “Room in My Life for People”

  1. Hi Stephanie,
    Your mention of the talk by Prof. Randy Pausch reminded me of a talk I saw on Ted.com. Are you familiar with that website? It's fantastic.
    When you have time watch this video of Dr. Jill Bolte. It's amazing. And worth your time.
    http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/229

    I hope you're having a great weekend!

  2. Moving post, Stephanie. I feel the same way. And although I do achieve it often...it isn't often enough. It's so easy to get caught up in life that it often takes a tradgedy to get you back where you need to be. And that is sad.

  3. oh,that video just makes me CRY! I discovered that ever since I became a mommy, the time just flies by and everything in the world seems so serious now. I need reminders like that though to slow down a bit and enjoy life.

  4. I totally understand. It's hard to "let go" of all the *stuff* and just hold on to what really matters: people.

    Randy Pausch teaches at my partners school, and we were able to see him speak last semester. It was amazingly touching, and I'm thrilled that he has made it this long. He is a brilliant man, and it's sad that it takes one man who is dying to make most of us think about what really matters, but at the same time, at least we are getting there, right? I hope that I don't get too obsesse with the *stuff* in my life, especially when I move out to Silicon Valley, where *stuff* is often very important.

  5. You and I just had this conversation the other day:) My life is SOOOOO crazy right now...I am thinking about writing down everything I do during the day for a few days...just to see where all of my time goes. Then I will start to weed out the *stuff* that doesn't really need to be there.

  6. I have read about him and he's got an interesting perspective, no doubt. I recently read "It's All Too Much" by Peter Walsh.
    Peter is a professional organizer from the TLC program "Clean Sweep." His book helps you get rid of the physical clutter in our lives that so often squeezes out the time we want to spend with family and friends. Now, while you have one child, is the best time to get a handle on this. Don't let "stuff" take over your life and rob your time. I've read many other books on the same topic by authors like Don Aslett, Emilie Barnes, but none compare to his "cut to the quick" style. And, his real-life examples are so varied, everyone will see themselves in his book. I've got it on hold at the library so I can read it again.

  7. This is the ever-difficult challenge of everyday life for a mommy.

    I'm fighting many of the same demons myself.

    All we can do is take it one moment at a time.

  8. I have watched that video so many times....and it is touching every one.
    I need to try and jam less into day I think----less unimportant cr**

  9. My sentiments exactly! I was going to resist checking out your blog tonight bc of "the so-many-things-to-do" but I'm glad I didn't. I am really struggling with this lately. While I know I really get somethings right (like still savoring every moment with my little one), I'm off track in other areas most days (like spending good time with the Main One- God). The to-do lists and piles that seem to be growing each day can be discouraging- especially when they are full of so many worthy things like reconnect with this friend, exercise with that friend :)...My KLOVE e-mail was encouraging tonight- "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives" Psalm 37:23
    Every detail! Tomorrow is all His.
    I'm going to bed:)Sorry so long...

  10. Such a great post, and so true. I sometimes feel I'm in a panicked rush to finish everything before my time runs out. I don't remember when this started, but it is a recent thing. I wonder if it's being a mom or if there is some other cosmic power lead us all to discover the same lesson, to slow down and just soak it all in.

  11. Thanks for sharing that enlightening video clip! I admire his strength and enjoyed his way of speaking. Sometimes it's easy to forget about the people in your life - but so hard to forget about things. Let's all strive to be "Tiggers"!

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