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Precious Grains Of Sand Are Like The Seconds Of Your Life

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

Days Hour Glass

One thing that when you home office as a REALTOR that it affords you around lunchtime that you don't have typically in a brick and mortar work environment is the occasion to flip on the television for a lunch break.

I'm not into soap operas but the one that always struck me was Days of our Lives. The opening title screen had a voiceover that said, "Like sand through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives." That thought has always stuck with me. I think afternoon soaps hold the attraction of vicariously living through the dramas of others lives, the bare chested muscular men in bed with the babes that aren't their wives, the tensions back at the hospital with the life threatening illnesses, or the villain characters who hope to disrupt everyone's lives. Much good vs. evil. Much overcoming or not overcoming temptation. And then the cliffhanger between commercials or stay tuned till tomorrow's episode to see what happens next. It reminds me a lot of blogging even. What will your favorite writer's or professional's minds come up with next?

But meanwhile in all this, like that hourglass, time keeps moving forward. Those grains in our hourglass are like the seconds in our lives. They say terminally ill patients of all sorts say the seconds on the clock do not go TICK TICK TICK but PRECIOUS PRECIOUS PRECIOUS.

So with that in mind, especially when it comes to social networking, your activities for the day, time between family and work, remember that precious thought. Do we waste many grains of sand as they shift from top to bottom and are spent? Sure. But as we get older we want those grains to be important to WHOM? Us. Not having too much of someone else telling us where to spend our time. Balance is the key, just like on social networks. You can't be all things to everyone. You can't be everywhere at the same time. There are only so many hours in the day. Some say have three IMPORTANT MEANINGFUL TO YOU things to work on today, because that is all you can focus on.

Whatever you hope to do today, be reminded that this day you will NEVER get back again in terms of time. Make the most of it. The seconds of your life are the currency you are made up of. When it's gone, that is your legacy.

Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

LOVE IT. I timed that perfectly. What a great post and very timely as I am doing that in my own life right now.  I learn a lot from you so maybe when I grow up I'll be just like you. :-) Except I'm a woman hear me roar. <SMILE>

Mar 28, 2009 04:37 AM
June Tassillo
Owner/Broker RE/MAX Elite Realty - Franklin, NC
Let me help you with the next phase of your life!

Most of us take time/life for granted.  I try to live ONE DAY AT A TIME and stay in the moment but its very hard to do. 

Mar 28, 2009 04:46 AM
Carol Culkin
Diamond Partners Inc - Overland Park, KS
Overland Park Residential Real Estate

Gary - Who needs the drama in their life? Personally, I just move on from day to day and quitly shrug off every situation as "temporary." - I hate when others are constantly living out their sagas - to be continued! Please!

Mar 28, 2009 05:04 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Gary, when I hear people say, " I wish it was next week, next month, Spring break, my kids were older, it was Summer." All I can think is don't wish your life away. It goes fast enough.

Mar 28, 2009 05:16 AM
Lori Churchill Cofer
Beasley Realty - Pullman, WA
Realtor - 509-330-0086 - Pullman, WA

Gary,

Life is a precious commodity.  Going through a terminal illness oneself or with a loved one really drives that home.  I have seen people say that the little things just don't get to those who have.  Isn't it kind of ironic that those who may face such difficulties seem to have such great balance and appreciate things that most of us seem to take for granted.

Mar 28, 2009 05:17 AM
Carol Lee
Dilbeck Real Estate - Oak Park, CA
Realtor - Agoura, Oak Park, Westlake CA Homes

Gary- I agree with Missy.  And nowhere is this more true than when I look at my sons, now young men.  where did those ittle toddlers go??  Gone with the sands of the  hourglass.

Mar 28, 2009 05:20 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

It says something when this opening has remained for many many years.  I remember this opening as a kid!  The one thing soaps illustrate is just that point... moments are like grains of sand... and they are Precious.  We have a choice everyday how those grains of time will be spent.  As you point out, the really challenge for most of us is finding balance.

Mar 28, 2009 05:26 AM
Connie Goodrich
Keller Williams Realty - McKinney, TX
CRS ABR (McKinney Realtor)Texas

Gary - our days are precious and the wise use of time can allow us to enjoy and experience so much more.  Quality vs. Quanity rule.  Never take a moment for granted because in a blink it is gone and what you wish you had done or could have done passes you by.  Thanks for your kind post on my blog.  I left you a message there.  Have a wonderful day!

Mar 28, 2009 05:40 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Gary

I agree with Missy and Carol; life is very short, and everyday is a gift, a true one.

Tom

Mar 28, 2009 06:07 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Gary...this is one place my wife and I differ.  I want to get to what ever right NOW!  and she will dilly dally wasting time before making a move.  That time is GONE!!!

Mar 28, 2009 06:31 AM
Marvin de la Vega
Realty Source Inc - Chula Vista, CA

Gary - great thoughts as I will close up in a few moments to go play with my wife and kids. Although it's Raining in here, it's sunny outside! Have a great weekend, thanks for the push out the door...

Mar 28, 2009 07:20 AM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Honestly, it doesn't matter how fast you get somewhere, or how slow. It is how you like your ride. What makes me happy does not make sense to others, and vice versa. I am having one hell of a ride lately though, having a great time!

Mar 28, 2009 07:35 AM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

I just have to say that when I was a kid, I had to watch Days of Our Lives with my Mom all the time. The very sound of the theme music now send me into spasms.

Mar 28, 2009 08:13 AM
Gail Robinson
William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT
CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT

I had to sit through a multi-level sales pitch today by another real estate agent who had done me a favor recently.  I had asked what the meeting was about and he wouldn't tell me.  I was thoroughly annoyed and resentful at this waste of time as I told him within the first minute that I had no interest and no time to pursue this "business opportunity".  Still he continued to waste a half hour of my time.  I explained to him that my mom had just been transferred to another nursing home and she needed me, so sitting there suffering through a presentation on something I had no interest in was unfair to her as well as to me.  Time is not something that I like to waste and I am still annoyed about how this person wasted my time today.  My time with my parents is precious as my mom is 96 years old.  Every moment counts!

Mar 28, 2009 01:32 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Gary,

What a wonderful reminder to us to not take things for granted and appreciate each day we hav as a gift!

Mar 29, 2009 01:14 PM
Laura Watts
Positive Properties, LLC - Laurinburg, NC

Gary-This is a really wonderful blog and so full of inspiration. I hope you don't mind, but I flagged this for a feature. This is one of the best blogs I have read and it really touches the heart. Thank you for your wonderful words of wisdom.

Mar 29, 2009 03:32 PM