Today I received a rare gift; the gift of time. It was unexpected, so I didn’t know at first how to use it.

I had blocked the day off to work with someone, who had to reschedule, for good reason. Because I had reserved the time in my schedule in advance, I was not mentally prepared, nor expected, to get anything else done today. Freedom! Choice! What would I do?

Here are the things I considered, that I encourage you to contemplate as well when you are faced with the choice of how to spend the gift of time.

1. Dive into my long to-do list. Like many of you, my to-do list seems endless. Yes, I prioritize it, and yes, I try to be realistic about what I can get done in a day, but the list of things I need, want and wish to get done is ongoing, nonetheless. I knew that I could use the hours that were now suddenly “mine” to get some work done, make progress on a project or two, and cross some things off that list.
2. Give the gift to someone else. I hadn’t expected to have this time for myself, so I could opt to do something for someone else. I thought about who I might be able to do a favor for, or give my time to, that I had been meaning to help, but had previously felt too crunched on time myself. This could have been an organization, an individual, someone I knew well, or an acquaintance. There’s something that fills me up when I’m able to make a difference to someone else.
3. Just “be”. We’re all pretty busy “doing” most of the time. Taking time to just “be” is difficult for me, but I love the results when I do. “Being” could mean taking time for self-care, going for a walk outside, writing in  a journal, doing something creative with your hands,  reading for fun or for self-development, meditating, relaxing, recharging, or rejuvenating in manner that’s right for you.
4. Don’t decide. Open yourself to possibility and see what speaks to you about how to use the time. This might feel weird. I guess it is a form of “being”, but it really is about being available and ready to seize any opportunity that presents itself.

I started with option #4 and opened myself up to the possibility of the day. I did take a walk outside (happens to be a beautiful sunny, crisp day here in the Northwest). When I returned and contemplated how I wanted to spend the remainder of the day, I received a request for help from a dear friend. It was as if the cancellation earlier in the morning happened for a reason and was absolutely what was meant to be. I had the gift of time that I could share with my friend. It was exactly what I wanted to do and what I was supposed to do today. I could not have been more pleased to be able to say “yes” to her request.

I was inspired to record a quick “Facebook Live” post on the topic. Feel free to watch it and let me know how you spend any “gift of time” that comes your way.

In this season of giving, I hope that is a gift that comes your way and I can’t wait to hear how you spend it.