I know. It’s December 22nd.
But I just listened to something very inspiring.
Do you know Matthew Hussey?
He’s new to me. A motivational speaker. With an accent. A charming accent that left me hanging on his every last word. I had the privilege of listening to him on the radio during an otherwise mundane trip to buy half & half. He could talk about dirt and I’d pay attention…
As far as I know, Matthew’s area of expertise focuses on love and matchmaking. However, he discussed several topics this morning.
The most compelling, was the topic of time.
Now let me preface: I’m not a Matthew Hussey groupie. Nor, am I here to lecture you on what to do with your time, how to control it, and blah blah blah. Because really, we’ve heard it all before.
But he got me thinking.
Matthew attempts to debunk a common myth: life is short.
When in fact, life is very long. The problem is that we spend too much time on pointless ventures and pointless people. Thus, shortening the time we think we don’t have.
(my ears perked up like a cat…)
For example, when it comes to money we tend to be frugal. We’ll hem and haw over that extra $1 to give to our server. But when it comes to time, we act like we’re all billionaires. Think about it… When’s the last time someone requested your assistance and you wanted to say no, but didn’t?
We often give our time away. It’s human nature.
That’s not to say everything we do is a waste.
So, I began to analyize my own life….
I caught myself complaining about Christmas. And how I didn’t have an outfit. And how all my clothes are from 1991. Because I just don’t have the time to shop!
Meanwhile, I’ll be the first person to hover over a vat of chicken stock all day before going out to buy a new t-shirt. I will continue to use my 100 year old mascara until my eyelashes fall off. And maybe, just maybe, if I put my phone down and stopped checking Instagram (I find Veuve Clicquot fascinating at the moment) I could finally wrap my gifts in a reasonable amount of time.
Matthew closed his segment with this: give yourself the gift of something small this holiday.
(shoes?)
The little things.
Perhaps it’s organizing your closet? Or buying a picture frame for that photo you’ve been meaning to hang. Or maybe it’s hovering over that vat of chicken stock every other week.
Whatever it is, just do it. The small things count.
(I might have a crush on this Matthew guy)
Looking ahead, I’m inspired to conquer the little things. Putting more value in my time. Learning to say no, thank you.
And then I’ll get a new shirt.
Wishing you all a beautiful holiday and happy new year! See you in 2015! ā„
Comments
Emilie says
Time is a tough one. Everyone’s perception is different. I’m in the same boat as you- wavering back and forth between pressing & priority. Sometimes I need to re-read this myself to kick my ass into gear. My little room where I keep all my computer/kitchen stuff/photography boards etc. is such a mess, you’d think creatures were living in here. It’s time to get off social media and clean this darn place! Baby steps. You and me both ;)
Happy New Year to you, Jayme! Wishing you peace, happiness and lots of bubbly!
Jayme says
Great post, Emilie… I am very much intrigued with the concept of time and how limited and precious it is. Thank you for writing about Matthew Hussey and his message. Tonight, I set aside some “pressing issues” (things I thought I NEEDED to get accomplished) and made cookies for a friend, who lost her father, and picked up another friend, whose ride bailed on her last-minute. I actually felt revitalized by temporarily setting aside my “pressing needs” and “to-dos” and made both my life and my friends’ lives more fulfilled. This is what life is about. I also think about the things I need or want to purchase, that might make me feel more fulfilled or accomplished, but I need to keep another standard in my mind’s forefront – the fact that life is short. Time is precious. How we choose to use it and SHARE it is so important. Thanks so much for the pleasant reminder. Have a wonderful weekend! I am off to bed – up late again after work! :-) Jayme
Amanda Jane says
Great post! I came to your site to look at recipes and am so glad to have found your words of wisdom by way to H Hussey. Wishing you a very happy new year!
Emilie says
Hello Miss Seasonally Jane! Welcome! Glad to have you here :) Happy 2015 to you too!
kristie {birch and wild} says
I love this post! So well written and inspiring :) Happy Holidays to you!
Emilie says
Hello Krisite! Thank you so very much. It was one of those thoughts that just spewed out (sorry, lacking better descriptive word). Wishing you all the best for 2015! xo
celia says
Merry Christmas darling! Look forward to spending time with you in 2015! xxx
Emilie says
Absolutely! Love to all, Celia! xoxo
Amalia says
Loved reading this and the comments as well. Sometimes, you have to just step away from the pot of chicken or log off the computer or get up off the couch and just do something else. The other things that you waste time complaining about not having the time to do or waste time beating yourself up about not having done or waste time worrying and making lists of all the things that need to or should get done.
Emilie says
Exactly. Sometimes, the hardest part is stepping away from your own self! It’s difficult to judge what you do everyday, and more so how to improve. Taking a little break this holiday season has allowed me to recharge, think, breathe and really examine life as I know it. I’m hoping you were able to find some calm as well :)
Happy, peaceful wishes for 2015!
francesca says
clever and wise. next year is definitely about saying no and simplification. ps, im emailing this post to my mom;)
Emilie says
Ahhh! Your comment made me smile. PS- I talk to my mom a million times a day ;)
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
I needed this right now, Emilie. Thank you. I find saying ‘no’ is sometimes hard too. It’s something that must be practiced, and often. I find sometimes to say no, I have to get down to brass tacks and ask myself about what’s most important.. what is the priority.
Instagram, I get it! Pinterest too… I find it a total time suck. I’ve been setting a timer lately! :D
All the best to you and yours, my dear. See you in the new year!
Emilie says
A timer! That is the best thing I’ve heard all day. I’m going tot try that. I saw some cute vintage ones in Anthropologie (any excuse to shop in that store, right?)
Hope you had a lovely holiday, Traci! Wishing you all the best for 2015! See you soon xx
Laney (Ortensia Blu) says
What a lovely post! ā« 525,600 minutes āŖ ā«…Merry Christmas Emilie! xo
Emilie says
Wait! Can we discuss those adorable musical notes? How did you do that? Love it!
Hope you had a very Merry Christmas Laney! I want to know about all the yummy things you made :) xx
Laney (Ortensia Blu) says
The old cut and paste trick Emilie!And I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, too and best wishes for a Happy New Year! xo
Emilie says
Ah, excellent. Thank you! xo
rakhee@boxofspice says
Oh your post is so up my street Emilie. I am the queen of existential issues! And time, oh time is a b**** that is not loyal to anyone… We so need to treasure it.
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you and yours dear Emilie. <3
Emilie says
Hello darling! Hope you had a lovely holiday! Maybe time will be on our side this year ;) Wishing you a very fabulous new year! xx
Pam Green says
Great take aways and advice for going into the new year. I’m working on saying No, Thank You as well!
Emilie says
Hi Pam! Saying ‘no’ certainly is difficult sometimes. I’m totally with you. But hearing someone address this on the radio was a nice reminder to slow down and breathe. It really put things into perspective for me (and others I’m sure). I felt like Matthew was my cheerleader- ha! Happy holidays, dear Pam! xo
Patti says
Wishing you and yours a Very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year.
Emilie says
Patti! Merry Christmas to you and the family! I hope to see you all soon. xoxo
Christine // my natural kitchen says
Sometimes it just takes hearing a simple truth outloud (or seeing it in front of you, on screen) to really take pause and remember how true it really is. I also will spend hours in my kitchen, but then complain that I have no time to do the things I need to get done and become completely stressed out in the midst of it all. Lately I’ve been thinking about how important the perception we carry is in determining how we end up feeling about a situation and I’m trying to carry a more realistic attitude and expectations with me in my approach to work, life outside of work, and basically everything else. Thank you for sharing this post, I’ll be sure to check out Matthew!
Merry Christmas, Emilie! I hope you have the most wonderful holiday! :)
Emilie says
Hello Christine! That’s exactly how I felt. After hearing him on the radio, I immediately came home and started to type. I could relate on so many levels. I’ve heard him speak only 2 or 3 times, but every time I was compelled to listen. Even the radio hosts who are quite loud and boisterous were completely captivated by his words. Almost silenced (the accent does help a little). It’s just nice to hear something meaningful and different… Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, dear friend! Time to sit back and relax ;)
Liz says
Merry Christmas to you and your family and may 2015 be your best year ever.
Emilie says
Thank you so much Liz- that is lovely of you to say! Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and happy new year! xo
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
I loved this post so much….thank you, Emilie!! This is all so, so true, and I can totally relate to everything you said. Here’s to re-prioritizing and embracing the small things in 2015! Have a wonderful holiday!
Emilie says
Cheers to that Kelli! It’s all about the little things… I guess that means my house will look nice an organized in the new year? LOL. Baby steps ;) Happy holidays to you and your family! x
Minna says
I loved this post, Emilie! What he says is so true- time is our most valuable thing, and we all tend to treat it like we can just squirrel it away sometimes. Great message for the holidays- thanks for sharing!!
Emilie says
Hello Minna! Time is such an interesting topic, isn’t it? And everyone’s perception of time is different. After hearing Matthew speak, this post literally wrote itself- I was SO inspired. I was happy to pass on his message, one that I hope to adopt in the new year. Thank you for your sweet comment & Merry Christmas, Minna! :)