There are so many rationales for putting off spending time. We all spend time one second after another involuntarily in the process of living. We all can budget time for any number of activities that are directly related to the standard of living we seek to attain and maintain. Lots of stuff equals less discretionary minutes in the do anything that pleases column. Not that much stuff equals surplus minutes in the lets go spend time together column.
Today I thought of many reasons why I might not go load a bunch of kids in the Wego and seek adventure in surrounding country side. I ignored those reasons in favor of refreshing friendships. Upper Tampa Bay Park was wild and wonderful. It was a very high tide and the salt flats were submerged beneath a six inch layer of brackish water. For the most part our little troop was agreeable to a slosh around the outer edge of the park and that is precisely what we did.
As we entered the scrub I proceeded to lecture on the presence of snakes. Rattle snakes are of the greatest concern because their bite can cause a signifycant amount of misery. I explained that the path ahead must be carefully observed as to avoid stepping on or near our venomous friends. Not long after my little speech I found myself gazing down at the perfect specimen of a Pygmy Rattlesnake just to the left of the trail. We were all amazed and delighted, with a little bit of scared to boot. I was able to capture it and give the troops a closer look. What a sublime experience this evening was and the kids were alive with wonder and gratitude.
In a world full of stuff it is the simple act of spending time together in pursuit of connection that holds the greatest rewards. We have ceased to be a society of responsible consumers and have become a culture consumed by stuff.
Take it from a fool running around with a Pygmy Rattlesnake budget time for people. Listen to the messages in your head telling you to spend time with the people in your life. You know how easily you can drown them out so just don’t let it happen.
