Listen to Your Mother...
because moms have the best advice. This week What I'd Rather Be Talking About is some advice my mom gave me that changed my life. I bet it can help you too.
Happy Last Thursday in January!
How did that happen? Time flew, right?
It sure did, and it sure does.
That’s why What I’d Rather Be Talking About this week is TIME, and how to make the most of it.
But first, a story.
I went through a divorce in my early thirties. As anyone who’s been there knows, this process is not easy, even in the most amicable of situations. There was so much to deal with - legal stuff, finances, selling a house, moving, and then on yeah, the emotional turmoil of it all. I was also teaching and needed to decide whether or not to continue with my master’s program. With everything going on, I was considering putting a pause on grad school. I felt overwhelmed and wanted to take a break until the dust settled.
On a phone call, I told my mom that I wanted to put school on hold, fully thinking she’d understand. She carefully listened as I explained, “So, I think I’ll wait a semester or two to go back to grad school.”
There was silence over the phone.
And then an audible sigh.
What was going on?
And then my mom delivered the advice that’s stuck with me for years and has served me over and over since that moment.
“Abbey, time is going to pass no matter what. If you keep saying you don’t have time, you’re never going to finish grad school, or anything for that matter. Why not just get it done?”
Well, that wasn’t what I wanted to hear. But, as I digested it, I saw her point. And as much as I dreaded adding more to my plate, I knew she was right. Plus, though she didn’t say it, I knew she was also thinking that grad school would give me something else to focus on, something that brought new energy and opportunities into my life.
And of course, she was right about that too.
Moms are always right. (If you’re a teen reading this, repeat that 75 times.)
Consequently, I went on to finish grad school.
It was a busy time (actually, it was an INSANE time) but, just as my mom promised, the time passed. And when all was said and done, I was so grateful I’d taken my mom’s advice and carried on. Since then, I’ve thought of that advice anytime I feel like putting something off that I know I should do.
With this sentiment in mind, it’s time to get on with this newsletter.
Abbey
IN MY EARS & ON MY SCREEN:
PODCASTS
Just so you know, I’m going all out on this time concept this week. First, listen to “Takeaways from Slipstream Time Hacking by Benjamin Hardy” on School of Self-Image. What is a slipstream? Time hacking? Seriously, give this a listen - I guarantee it’s a show that will get you thinking about time, and how you spend it.
Speaking of time, this episode of The Chris Harder Show talks about Parkinson’s Law, which states that the amount of work accomplished will always swell to fit whatever duration has been given to accomplish it. This concept can apply to whatever you need to do - finish grad school, write a book, earn money, or organize your finances. In the show, Chris Harder applies the law to making money. Whatever sized container you allow yourself to get work done, the same amount of work will get accomplished whether it’s a small container or a big container. With money, visualize a big container (not small) that you want to fill. If you concentrate on filling a big container, according to Parkinson’s Law, you’ll fill that bigger container and make more money.
Note: Both of these episodes get a bit deep. I had to pause, reflect, and listen again during each podcast.
NETFLIX - Just one this week. (I need some new shows. If you have one, please add it in the comments!)
Wednesday - “Smart, sarcastic, and a little dead inside, Wednesday Addams investigates a murder spree while making new friends — and foes — at Nevermore Academy.” Now, I’ve never been an Adams Family fan. In fact, I’ve never watched it. But, my husband reported that he’d heard it was good, so we gave it a try. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out how much I loved it. The writing is amazing, and the show makes me laugh, cry, and keeps my attention each episode. (Which says a lot as I’m not one to sit still.)
YOUTUBE- I warned you I’m into time this week.
This is why you won’t be surprised to see an episode on collapsing time and manifesting with Jenn from The Aligned Life. This episode talks about our perceptions of how long something will take and our beliefs about time.
Speaking of time, Pick up Limes talks about how our relationship with time changes as we get older. Watch this episode to see this interesting perspective on our life stories and the concept of time.
LIFESTYLE & WELLNESS:
REDUCE INFLAMMATION
To lighten things up, here’s an aesthetically pleasing video with great recipes for anti-inflammatory food and beverages. I think you’ll find something delicious to make in this video - the recipes look easy (enough) to make and the set and presentation are gorgeous.
EAT YOUR VEGETABLES
I started this issue with advice from my mom. And, like most moms, mine always told me to eat my veggies - advice that I ignored mostly until the early 90s. Now I can’t get enough of them and really love following a mostly plant-based diet. Wondering why? Watch “10 things that happen when you go plant-based” and see some of the reasons why I’m digging this lifestyle.
ABOVE ALL ELSE… check out this YouTube. It made me SMILE. And CRY. And want to SHARE IT WITH EVERYONE I know. Please watch/listen. #now. (How did I hear about this video? Remember my story about Barb and Trusting the Process last week? Barb’s son Bron - a yogi who used to own a yoga studio but now hangs out on the sea, living his best boat life - told me about this song after I sent him the feature with his mom. That yoga family is full of inspo.)
AND, ON A SERIOUS NOTE
If you stayed with me to this point in the newsletter, thank you. I know you’re busy. I’m busy too. We’re all so very busy that we often skim through life, just being busy, and thinking & talking about how busy we are.
But please, do me a favor.
Don’t let the busyness stop you from the business of life.
This is your one shot to do those things that you know in your heart you’re meant to do. So, maybe… stop putting them off?
Because…
Time is going to pass no matter what. If you keep saying you don’t have time, you’re never going to finish ______, or anything for that matter. Why not just get it done?
Now, get out there and get things done.
And tell your mom you love her. Wherever she may be.
Until next week,
Abbey
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Leave it in the comments!
Loved your Mom’s advice! My Netflix recommendation is one in Spanish called, “Daughter from Another Mother”. I started watching to keep the Castilian Spanish in my brain. The story can be tedious in parts, but it’s interesting enough to serve the dual purpose of something that is an escape and keeps the Spanish in my ears. Apparently it’s a spin-off from a Spanish movie.
Did you spot the dancing cat poolside during the trumpet solo? You're welcome for a reason to watch again. Thanks for another great episode of "What I'd Rather Be Talking About"!