Making Time Matters

"Life is very short and what we have to do must be done in the now." -Audre Lorde

".... but I just don't have the time."

How many times have you heard someone make this statement about why they were not pursuing their dreams?

How many times have you said this to yourself or someone else, including God?

For many people, time and money are major dream busters. Dreams are often deferred or abandoned when we look at them from a perspective of lack. Creating a life that is centered on the dream God has given you requires making time. Your dreams can only grow and thrive when they are regularly nourished and cared for.


Think about a gardener who loves plants. She knows that in order to have healthy plants, she must ensure they receive water, good soil, and sunlight. The gardener knows the time she makes to care for them directly affects their ability to grow and thrive. She also understands the positive impact her time and actions will have not only on her but also on others who come in contact with the beauty she is creating.

The gardener and a Dream Maker share a similar mindset.

There is a large plant in our dining room that was my mom's. She loved and took great care of her plants and flowers. I on the other hand... well let's just say I did not inherit the proverbial green thumb. This particular plant had me baffled because the resistance to taking care of it was strong. There were days when I would forget to water the plant. For weeks, I knew it needed to be repotted with fresh soil. I would pass by the plant every day, at times sitting at the table directly next to it. I would acknowledge that it looked kinda limp, needed water and soil but I wouldn't make the time to do it. Instead, I kept putting it off. I would tell myself that I would take care of it tomorrow. But tomorrow never seemed to come.

I was always able to come up with excuses for not taking care of the thing that was in front of me.

I did this with my dream too. I knew about this dream for years, but just like with the plant I wouldn't make the time to take care of it, to nurture it so it could grow.

Are you taking care of the dream that is right in front of you?

My experiences with the plant reinforced to me the importance of time. I was reminded that it does not always take a lot to show care towards something I consider important. I eventually made the decision to change how I cared for the plant because I wanted it to grow and become healthy again. The time I invested resulted in positive changes. The leaves, when watered, would immediately perk up and stand tall. Those same leaves that once were on the verge of becoming brown are returning to their natural, vibrant green color and a rich, moist soil no longer begs to be watered.

The simple act of spending a few minutes taking care of the plant brought life back to it. And just like plants, dreams have to be watered and cared for in order to grow and flourish. A dream that has been abandoned or neglected can be given a new life when you become intentional with your time towards it.

I have learned to make time for my God-inspired dream. A writing schedule helps me to stay on track and follow through on the intentions I set for each month. The schedule also provides boundaries for me. I am able to remain focused and engaged in activities that make good use of my limited amount of time.

How are you spending your time?

Following your dreams requires making it a priority and creating the time that is necessary for you to be able to work on your dreams. Some ways to consider making time include:

*Reducing the amount of time you watch tv or engage in social media.
*Using your daily commute to work or the weekends as the time to focus on your dream.

*Carrying a journal or recorder to capture ideas that come to you during your day.

*Making a weekly appointment with your dream and writing it in your planner.

The ideas I offer are not new. Instead, they are simple, common approaches to freeing up time in your life, to be able to do the things God has called you to. They are ideas you have heard before and perhaps have tried at some point. The success of these ideas come from being able to implement them on a consistent basis. If you only have five hours per week free; designate them as a sacred time for your dreams.

What will you do to create time for your dream this week? Send me an email, I would love to hear your intentions.

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Read about the dream buster money here.

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