Last weekend Mike and I went to Pre-Cana, which is course or a retreat that couples must complete before getting married in the Catholic Church. It was nice. We completed it with a bunch of other couples and it was comprised of some pretty enlightening conversations and presentations by married couples all at various stages of their lives.
During one of the first presentations, the priest asked us all to guess the results of a survey that revealed the top three challenges married couples face. Almost everyone guessed money and there was another one that I now forget, probably because the third answer, which no one guessed, seemed so obvious and true once it was announced. That third answer, was time.
I think about time a lot. Whether it’s figuring out when I’ll actually get to bed at night, finding the time to blog and read my favorite blogs, balancing work and travel or wondering what time I’ll get home from work, if I’ll make it to Zumba, if I’ve used my vacation time well, why the weekends can be so short, if I should get to work early or if I should spend random extra time to myself, how many Spanish lessons I can fit into my daily commute, how many miles I can pack into a certain amount of time on the elliptical, if I can beat the time that my GPS predicts I will arrive at my destination. You get the idea.
What was reinforced for me this weekend is that all of that worry, and those thoughts that can make me crazy, pale in comparison to the time I allot to Mike – whether it’s dedicated time, like when we travel, or it’s everyday time, like eating dinner together after work. Time isn’t meant to be gambled or challenged, like when I try to fit as much into my schedule as humanly possible. Time is meant to be prioritized, and if some things just don’t fit, so be it.
This is very interesting. A pre-wedding retreat? Is this mandatory for all catholic couples who want to get married? I so need to ask my catholic friends here as well.
Very nice message though, time is basically the enemy of every person. Money is probably the close second.
I agree! I’m working on a project right now for free and it stresses me out so much. There are so many other quality things I’d rather do with that time, I should seriously cut back.
“Time isn’t meant to be gambled or challenged, like when I try to fit as much into my schedule as humanly possible. Time is meant to be prioritized, and if some things just don’t fit, so be it.” yes. yes. that was very well said.
ugh, time is crazy. it goes by sooo fast! and i also hate how i become amazing at wasting time, and i hate it.
but interesting thing to think about.
time?? just remember–
(give me my firebird keys..!).
chill! you must chill.
Oh my God I had forgotten all about having to do that. We did it when we got married. I remember the work book and having to eat lunch in a cafeteria type place with another couple who didn’t talk…it was awkward
Glad yours went well!
I was just talking about pre cana with friends at dinner.last night.
It both intrigues and terrifies me. I’m glad you both enjoyed it!
Truer words were never spoken!
I just stumbled across your blog — wise words. As a student / freelance writer / avid traveler, I juggle the same ‘time’ issues as you do. I forget who it is who said that there is no such thing as not having time for something — if it’s important enough, you’ll make time for it. If it’s not, it just slides to the bottom of your list of to-dos.
If I was a millionaire I would buy time, haha! Very thought-provoking piece.