Old Father Time. Or, "This is what I learned this year."

At the end of the year comes many lists dispelling a bunch of trends, forecasts and fortunes. This isn't at all one of those. I'd just prefer to take a post and reflect on what I learned this year what I learned to value much, much more this year.

It's not compelling. It's the simplest of simple. But it's among the most important being that it's "time".

Money comes and goes. We can even lose touch with friends (and meet new ones). But time is something that we only have so much of. We need to work, so there's only so much "free time". And what all we work on is pretty constricted since time dictates that we can only take on so many clients, tasks and otherwise.

The activities we partake in, the people we love and the places we put our focus is a function of how we choose to spend the time we have. So it's really the measure of our lives, since our life is, literally speaking, the time spanning from when you arrived here to the time you go to the next place, plane or otherwise. Like, if I were God, the first question I'd ask people entering heaven is "Well, how did you enjoy your time down there?" (but I'm a marketer so naturally I'd be curious in feedback from my audience).

Think about it, when people say "quality of life" what that really means is what you choose to do--and with whom you choose to do it with--given the time you have. And when you lose people, you go through all the things you did and shared in the precious times you had together. Naturally, you want more time with them and that can make you all sorts of sad. But it can also make you really happy when you look back on all the defining, amazing and just plain silly times you had together ;-).

Many have said "You're so lucky to work for yourself." But luck isn't at all what it's about. It's just a choice and a commitment. And I personally made the choice because it's very important to me to have freedom over how I spend my time. Because a heck of a lot of things, industries, technologies, companies and competencies interest me. And those interests can change or expand over time.

I look ahead to '08 and I can honestly say that I know better where, on what and with whom I want my time spent. That covers a lot of people, projects and other stuff. But I'll discuss that more in '08 and I ain't going anywhere...after all, the whole point of Blogger Social is to give this community TIME together. (For real, that's that event's entire objective. I looked at Drew and said, "This is what people need and don't get, they need time to just hang out together"...and he said, "Let's do it.")

So here's a great song on time. Please consider it a virtual gift for you. Unfortunately, it was a bit overplayed when it was popular. But, I think enough 'time' has passed that it's great to listen to again.

I find it to be moving and apt, but it's not meant in a sad way...as I find the song inspiring and a great reminder of how important, and what a precious gift, time is. Here's sending out a WHOLE LOTTA LOVE (!) to you fine people and friends, as my time is so well spent with you (RSS/email subs click here).

Comments

[Lewis Green]

When one is 61, as am I, and grew up with the great ballads sung by James Taylor and Carol King, this song is very special. Thanks for sharing CK. Blessings of Peace.

Note: The URL you chose breaks up, even at YouTube. I listened and watched one of the other URLs. You might want to choose one of the others, as well, which all seem whole.

[CK]

@Lewis: I've checked it and it doesn't break up for me but there is one other embed that I can use and I'll upload it now (thanks for the heads-up). I'm sorry it broke for you and I'm glad you enjoyed the virtual gift of song. I think it's just beautiful.

[Shama Hyder]

As a marketer, I would feel inclined to ask the same question. = )

[CK]

@Shana: Yeah, I'd have a full-on survey for them - ha! Um, before you pass through these pearly gates....on a scale of 1-10, what would you rate your experience? yadda, yadda ;-)

[Tim Jackson]

Yep- back atcha, my dear friend.

Time is more than a slightly precious commodity. It's all we have, in reality. How we spend that time and who that time is spent with makes all the difference in the quality of the lives we live. For sure.

I spoke to God recently and it said it already has a focus group working on some questions, so I'll get back to you with some action items.

[Drew McLellan]

CK,

You are so right on this. It is our most precious gift -- sharing our time with someone.

I'm grateful that I get to share in some of your time and your heart. Here's to an amazing '08 for us and our remarkable blogging community.

Glad to be your partner in social crime.

Drew

[gianandrea]

lately, I had not share many time with you and all the other friends met on line.
Too many things, too short time.
But you are always in my mind as precious friend.
Namaste.
G.