I’m learning to celebrate what I don’t do; the TV I don’t watch, the debts I don’t take on, the expenses I don’t have, the dessert I don’t eat, the drink I don’t have, the time I don’t spend on things.
This gives me the capacity to do the other things and the freedom to do other things, this gives me time, and I can celebrate those two. I could also say “too”.
If you also want more time, pick something not to do.
It’s amazing how true and profound that is. I am sincerely amazed what happens when I don’t do something, how liberating it is. How much freedom it gives me to do something else.
I’m sorry, I have to say no, (so I can create space to say yes.)
Didn’t we learn this lesson as children?
“I’m sorry I can’t come out and play right now. I have to clean my room.”
It’s not very complicated, but it can be extremely difficult.
To make time to do something, first you have to make space. Since neither one can you actually make, you can only allocate the time that you have and the space you have.
Closing thought. This isn’t about a blanket “say no to your friends” policy. It’s not denial of all good things. But it is denial of some good things, to make room for the pursuit of great things. Often I have to tell myself “no”, so I have the capacity to say “yes” to other people when they need me. Sometimes, I have to say “I’m sorry I can’t make that happen.” So I can make other things happen that involves just me.
I don’t have the perfect formula for this for sure. Nevertheless, I have found it worth noticing, and reminding myself of it often.
That is all. I have to want to go do other things.
Danny Kolke 