Life is all about moments big and small. Sometimes the events are so small and fleeting that we don’t recognize them as significant. We don’t always stop to appreciate them or even understand how those small, seemingly, non-events play an important part in something larger. At other times, we become acutely aware of the role those tiny actions make in bringing us to that one giant goal we seek.

For me, the process of accomplishing a large goal usually starts with two things: a thought and a list. Now I don’t know about you, but I love making lists. I use them to help me remember the simple things like “Buy milk, cereal and toilet paper” to the more complex and long term items such as “Write a book.” I rely on my various lists to remind and guide me through life. If any of you are list makers, I’m sure you will appreciate that one of the most satisfying parts of completing an item from the list is grabbing a nice, thick pen and energetically crossing the item off. Done!  Aaahhh. Even though I know that new items will pop-up the moment one thing is crossed off, I am never discouraged. This is just a fact of life. If you are living, there will always be things to do and accomplish. That’s a good thing.

On my “Master To Do List,” that resides prominently on my desk, one item remained on the list for years. It said, “Write organizing book.”  Every time I’d update the list, I’d carry over this particular item year after year. That thought might horrify some of you. But the truth is that certain things take time to accomplish. Any big project or change includes many small steps and commitments.

Something different happened in 2009. At the beginning of the year, I decided that this one reoccurring item would be accomplished before the year’s end. The time had come to commit the resources and energy needed to complete this goal.  Over the years, there had been a lot of preparation and research. Do you remember those small actions I mentioned earlier? Many actions took place along the way to help me reach my big goal.

So the other day, when my first boxes of books arrived, I decided it was time to pick up a pen and cross “Write organizing book” off my list!  As I drove the red felt tip through those words, it almost felt surreal that the book was actually finished, printed and in my hands. What followed were a sigh, a smile and some joyful tears.

Holidays are an interesting time of the year. With fall comes the big Thanksgiving feast, some extra time off from work, eating lots of delicious food and visiting with family and friends that we may not get to see so often. Routines are altered in a variety of ways. For some this change becomes very stressful and for others the time is enjoyable.

To be honest, I suppose I experienced a bit of each. There was some stress involved in preparing to host twenty-one people for Thanksgiving dinner. In the past, I’ve planned several weeks in advance for big events like this. However, all I had prepared in advance this time was buying the napkins. Since the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving had been particularly busy, I never stopped to plan the meal. It was only a few days before that my husband and I had our discussion to figure things out. This was unusual for us and that’s where the stress came in. 

Interestingly enough, once we did talk, everything fell into place with the shopping, cooking and cleaning. With our plan in hand, we knew what we needed to do and when. By the time everyone arrived Thanksgiving day, we were able to totally enjoy our family and the meal. There is nothing quite as wonderful as filling your house with the people that you love. I was grateful to have everyone together.

During the next few days, I had the chance to just play and relax. These were my “resting days,” as my mom called them. As she has often said, “We all need time to relax.” This is so true. Taking a break from our routines and busy schedules is essential to our well-being. It is all too easy to get caught up in the cycle of continually doing and not give ourselves the time to just be.

As today was uncharacteristically warm and sunny for a New York fall day we decided it was the perfect day for a walk. My husband suggested going on a path we’d never taken before. The route took us along the Hudson River and it was spectacular. Parts of the path led to sandy areas. The wonderful scent in the air reminded me of our beach vacations. Allowing myself to enjoy the day, enabled me to come back home feeling energized and ready for the surprises ahead.

Waiting. We all are waiting for something. We might be waiting to get to the front of the line, waiting for our car to be serviced, waiting for the light to change, or waiting for the day to begin. We often meet these interludes with impatience or annoyance.

What if instead, we shifted our perception of waiting? Instead of it being an inconvenience, what if we considered it a gift?

Recently, I found myself waiting as my car was being fixed. Since the repair shop was far from my home, I was pretty much stuck there until they finished. As I sat waiting, I realized that this break from my day was in fact a wonderful gift. Instead of being irritated and anxious that the car was taking longer to fix than I’d planned, I opted to view the time in a more positive light.

I became excited when I recognized the options this waiting time presented. I could use it as think time, quiet time, reading time, breathing time. I could pause and not do or I could engage in conversation with a stranger that I might not otherwise stop to talk with. The waiting enabled me to regroup and slow down. This gift of pause was staring me in the face, encouraging me to unwrap it.

The next time you find yourself waiting, remind yourself how lucky you are for those moments of in between. Enjoy them for what they are and use them for what you need- be it thinking, reading, conversing or doing nothing at all.