Filling the increments

Everyone has a different story. Everyone has a unique COVID-19 story.

For some of my close friends it’s been a glorious season of deepening family connections, saving hours of daily work commutes, and making radical home improvements. For others, a season of intense suffering, loneliness, and pain. My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to anyone who has suffered loss of a family member or loved one; grieving looks different now. For most, the global pandemic experience has felt like a buffet of both glory and sorrow-filled dishes.

Whatever your experience, we all have one thing in common: time.

Given the pandemic disruptions and the flip of yet another calendar month, I am acutely aware of time gone by and time remaining. I wonder why some days feel like suffering and others feel quite glorious. I wonder if my choices are leading to more "life" in my lifetime.

Time is certain.

Time constraints are not going away.

Yet, every day does go way, 24 hour increments at a time.

The question I've been asking lately is this:

“At the end of my time, what will I be known for?” 

Am I filling those increments with value? With trivial things? Essentials? Have I prioritized space to think critically about where my attention, my values, my strength is spent? Are they aligned to my why?

Recently, I've been reminded that part of my why is to raise my son to be a man of exceptional character. And my daughters to be women of exceptional character. I want my children to make the world a better place. I had to be honest with myself - was I spending enough increments focused on the right things? Was I investing in activities that supported my why? Was I using my increments wisely?

Sometimes it takes a beautiful disruption to jolt our brains into evaluation mode. Although I'm not thankful for the global pandemic, but I am thankful for the opportunity to think critically. I am thankful for the opportunity to evaluate how I'm using my increments.

What about you? How are you filling your increments?