Island Hopping
"I find it hard to get through the day."
Can you imagine?
I heard a collective "Yes, I can!"
I know the feeling. I've had times when life was so very
challenging that it was indeed difficult to get through a
day. And yet, I did. One day at a time.
Frankly, my most difficult times were not the daylight
hours, but the still, sad darkness of night.
I can remember watching the clock and almost begging it to
move faster. I couldn't sleep and time teased me with every
second.
It was then that I learned to use that time. It was then
that I decided not to think to myself about all the things
that were bothering me, but to have that conversation with
God.
A friend told me once that she gave all her troubles to God
every night before she went to bed, because He was going to
be up all night anyway.
So, as long as He was awake, I thought he'd make good
conversation.
Then I learned to get through my days by what I call "Island
Hopping."
I create in each day little islands of time I set aside for
myself. Not long periods, like hours, but five and ten
minutes spots.
At the very least I create one mid morning island around
ten. Lunch is a natural break in the day, but not always the
greatest time for planning for yourself. Then, around two or
three in the afternoon I place another island.
Both the morning and afternoon breaks are simply five
minutes for me to stop whatever I am doing. Maybe I fake the
need to stand up and walk somewhere. Maybe I just stay where
I am and sit still.
Interruptions? Plenty. But Island hopping isn't an exact
science. Take for instance real island hopping. You get in
your boat, set sail, and totally rely on the wind and
weather to get you to where you need to go. Slight course
changes are expected, so you won't always get there on time.
So, why should two o'clock be set in stone? You know how it
works. You set a goal and when you don't reach it you quit.
Not with Island Hopping. You set a time and if you need to,
you move the island.
Hey, two twenty eight is as good a time as any.
In the evening, I create another island. One that I land on
the minute I get home. Five minutes on the Island of "ahh!"
I walk in the door and sit down before I do anything else.
"aahhh"
Get creative with your scheduled time. Pull out a book and
read all you can in five minutes. Buy one of those tiny
radios and plug the earphones in for a few minutes.
Walk.
If you are standing, sit. If you are sitting, stand.
Create a dream sheet and pull it out and work on your dream.
"This is the house I want!"
Then draw stuff or list things.
"This is where I want to go on vacation!"
Then write about all you'll do when you get there.
Island Hopping has taken me to many places, both imaginary
and in reality.
It is during those visits I create the stories I write for
you.
It is there on the "Isle of Write" I found my most pleasant
times.
Oh, yes. At the very least and at the very best you can
always say a prayer during your time away from it all.
It is there on your own Prayer Island you can visit with so
many while peacefully being alone.
Next time you're there, say one for me.
I'll be Island Hopping, too.
Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com