I can waste a lot of time. For example, just this morning, as I started to make the bed, I got sidetracked by the electrical cords running to my husband’s nightstand… where no one but he will ever see them—unless they’re making the bed. I spent ten minutes rearranging them so they went behind the bed leg instead of in front. Wasted time!
But I feel better.
Another one of my time-wasters is playing solitaire on my phone or tablet. I try to limit my play time to circumstances when I’m waiting… on hold for a phone call, for my husband, for doctor appointments, and, (to be totally transparent) in the “loo” as my loves-all-things-British-daughter would say.
It was during this time-wasting event when an ad popped up. If you’re not a free-solitaire fan, the price for freedom is seeing an ad before every game. The hope is that you’ll be tempted to slip even further into time-wasting mode with a new game. This ad, though, had me shaking my head. It opens up like this: “Everyone who plays this game for 30 minutes a day is smarter.” I have no idea what the game is, because I click out if it as soon as possible. In fact, I have never slipped down that proverbial slippery slope—solitaire is as far a hold as I want to go.
But after seeing this a couple times, I got a little irritated. Then angry. How can they say that wasting 30 minutes a day on a game (any game) is going to make a person smarter. Do they have proof of this claim? If so, how did they achieve this notable research? And who are they anyway?
Then I started thinking about all the things that I could do for 30 minutes a day that might make me smarter. Reading the Bible, for starters. I do this already, but what if I read for an additional 30 minutes a day? Or learning how to play the piano. I would imagine my brain would have to fire on a higher level to learn to play an instrument. I’ve always wanted to take piano lessons, but I’m fearful I’d have a hard time finding 30 minutes a day to practice. Research something—anything. I’d love to remodel our bathroom, and I imagine if I spent 30 minutes a day for a month learning the ins and outs of hooking up sinks and toilets, I’d be smart enough to accomplish this goal.
This is a new year. I’m not a real fan of New Year’s Resolutions. I believe if you want to change something in your life, you shouldn’t wait until January 1st to do so. But I do like the idea of re-evaluating my life. I’m quite sure that I can find something very productive to do for at least 30 minutes a day. If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them. In the meantime, I’m going to lay off the solitaire, start researching bathroom remodels and consider taking those piano lessons I’ve always wanted.
What new accomplishment can you achieve if you committed 30 minutes a day?
Comments 3
30 extra minutes a day…hmmmm let me think. I could exercise, cook a better supper, plant some herbs, walk my dog… oh but I already do that. Yeah I know! Be a better friend. Visit that lonely senior. Look up from my weeding and smile and engage, rather than wish that nosey neighbour away.
People…God is showing me it is all about people. Now all He has to do is help me let go of my schedule and embrace His.
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Amen, Sister! I hear you. It’s not necessarily a good thing to be driven.
Hey Jennie, I have had piano lessons and they are not that hard. They start on the easy stuff and progress as you get better. You have Grandpa’s genes after all, so you should be pretty good. Then next time I am out you can entertain me with what you have learned.