The Power of a Minute

Sometimes I think the universe has given up on trying to subtly gain my attention.  It now stands directly in front of me, arms akimbo, staring me down, dodging and weaving as I try to skirt around what is distracting me from my very comfy routine.

This weekend the universe waived a red flag like a champion toreador. It began with me watching my first ever comic book superhero movie and hearing one of the characters talk about how we only have a few moments in our life to truly define who we are, so use them well. The next day I attended a continuing education class in which the instructor spoke about intentionally pausing and taking in the present moment with acceptance and gratitude for the positivity as well as the challenges in that moment. This morning I started a new workout series and the instructor challenged us to build our pushup strength by practicing for 1 minute on the hour, every hour (big math: 3 pushups each hour for 10 hours= 30 per day= 210 per week!) rather than trying to do too much in one big workout session and possibly risking injury. Even as I write, the refrain in the song playing is to “be still”. Hard to type and be still- the universe has an ironic sense of humor.

Ok, universe- I get it. I’m paying attention. I need to pause. As much as I might wish the day had an extra hour in the day, I don’t necessarily need the extra hour if I take the minute before me and make it count. And that’s my responsibility- how do I want to make it count? Practicing self-care? Caring for someone else? Completing a task on my to do list? Play tug or throw the ball for the fur baby? Power nap?

Or do I make it count in a way that breaks me down and hinders me from moving closer to being a better version of myself? Self-judging my needs? Negative self-talk? Shaming my eating or my relationship choices? Taking out my upset on someone I love with complaints, criticism, name-calling, sarcasm, cursing, or yelling? Closing out the world as I sit behind the walls I erect to keep myself emotionally safe?

A well-used minute is like a well lived life. There is planning and intentionality, awareness of self and changes waiting to happen. A desire to move forward with awesomeness, gratitude, and arms open wide enough to embrace all of the wonderfulness in the big and small moments that build our memories and create the person we see reflected in the mirror as well as reflected in the people we love.

So let’s make this next minute count. Grab paper and pencil and set a timer. For 1 minute write every idea that comes to you about how to make a minute count. I’ll do it with you. Ready, set, go!

Kiss someone I love

Rub my puppy’s tummy

Do 4 push ups

Drink water

Smile at myself in the mirror

Say something nice to myself

Say something nice to someone else

Go outside, watch the chipmunks, breathe fresh air

No judging, no shame, no editing- that’s what came to my mind first. As I reflect, I can see the theme of expressing love- to myself and to others- emerge. Must be what the universe is trying to tell me. I need to spend some time being intentional about giving and receiving love and affection. How about you? What is your theme? What can you become more intentional about with this list?

This list is more than a list. It’s now a road map to begin making every minute count. That minute we just spent writing removed the roadblock of not knowing how to make small, intentional positive changes. It gave us a new view of how to begin and extrapolate one change into many.

The power of a minute- small but mighty. And, as always, use that minute to…

Embrace your best self!  Anne