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Don't Let Too Much Of Your Life Be An Hourglass

Time Hourglass I know I see the world differently than others and it has been either a curse or a blessing to me all along but I am in acceptance of me being me so there you have it.

With excess social media networking around us, mobile computing devices that are nearly as powerful as laptop PCs, and compact notebook PCs that can be untethered from land line Ethernet cords with wireless cards we are MORE connected than ever. A big gripe I have had with our time in loading and starting programs is the hourglass symbol, meaning waiting. So I observe

Don't Let Too Much Of Your Life Be An Hourglass.

Meaning our time in life is precious.

Slave I think it is more than just balance in our lives between online time and offline time. It is making sure we don't head into a sickness state with too much connection, too much technology. How much time should we put into email, blogging, twittering at the expense of MORE important things in life? No one will die wishing they twittered more.

Examine the hourglass of waiting and using time with computers. Is it too much? If so limit it to something more reasonable. It will still be there for you some more tomorrow.

Remember you can never get time back once spent. Use it wisely.

Posted by Gary Woltal - Associate Broker REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth on 06/26/2009 04:34 PM

Comments (35)

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35 Comments on Don't Let Too Much Of Your Life Be An Hourglass

JUN

Gary,

You really hit the nail on the head. I enjoy doing all this but, sometimes, I wonder if it has any real meaning.

Such a great post....to make us stop and think, not just stop and wait. Thank you as always Gary.

I like to think I spend my time wisely. I don't always spend a lot of time on Twitter or Facebook...sometimes I don't blog at all. It's a mood thang.

No one will die wishing they twittered more.

No one will die wishing they twittered more.

Very true. That one hits home. I just returned from a funeral.

Gary, I definately won't die wishing I twittered more---now being less of a twit is another matter entirely:)

Hi Gary, I so agree with you, and know that at times I have let more important things "go". I am trying hard to balance the time between computer oriented things and "real life" I appreciate your point of view.

Gary-Do you know doctors are the worse patients? HMMMMM-Are you a computer doctor by chance? LOL

It is making sure we don't head into a sickness state with too much connection, too much technology. How much time should we put into email, blogging, twittering at the expense of MORE important things in life?

Steven: Meaning or not much meaning is something we have to think about.

Tina: Waiting is NOT what I want to do in life, especially with computers and slow networks.

Lizette: I think I am going with the mood thang way of living. Great way to handle things.

Bruce: I've been to some funerals too lately and it gives you added perspective. Sorry to hear of your loss.

Charles: I worry about being a twit too.

Mary: Real life is much more important.

Sharon: I could be one of those type of doctors for sure!!

I once read about how earthtime (as we perceive it) is warped...we are Here and Now, Then and There, Now and Then...people say they can't be everywhere at once...but I wonder...and smile... :-)

Hi Mara: I have heard that too that time is like a curve not linear. The beginning can connect to the end. I should have been a Physicist!! LOL.

No thats for sure....time ...like words.......you can't take back!:-)

Gary,

Thank you for another great insight. I stopped all my real estate tonight had friends over and went out to eat and wow the feeling of balance really over came me! Had so many laughs and a great time! I'm going to be @ my granddaughter's swim meet @ 7 am to watch her swim and will still get my open house done from 1-3 and show property @ 4! Life is good!!!

Gary great observation. It is important to maintain balance, one could easily get sidetrack by all the technology or social medias out there.

Gary

I know a few who waste their lives away social networking ...they have huge networks but never utilize them. To bad they don't get paid for just networking.

JUN

Gary--From what I've read in your posts, I like the way you are "wired". Yes, you do seem to see the world differently than the masses, but you are not alone.... Now, if I could just get away from the computer and get my sign on my new listing! ;- )

JUN

Gary, I got a Mac. Everything loads with the speed of light! The only problem is the machine is so cool that I spend way too much time in front of it while the sand slides on its way!

Some of us are on a social media overload (or meltdown). There is so much and we have all been driven to the point of Here and Now and Immediately, that we forget to take time out and smell the roses! Thanks for pointing this out. Life is too short, so enjoy it. Loved the guy in front of the computer...that's how we all seem these days.

Congratulations on making the Week In Review this week.

Hi Gary I am not sure how I missed this blog, but it is a confirmation that I was looking for. This blogs speaks definite truth. Once time slips away..you never get it back..so time spent better have a purpose attached to it. Time needs to be cherished, enjoyed and used wisely. It's a gift that can quickly melt away or even be taken away..so live every moment of " precious time."

Thanks so much

Gary: I can so identify with you, especially on this topic. Social Media Networking reminds me (at times) of the Star Trek Next Generation episode #106, The Game. This is the one where Riker brings a game he got as a gift on board. It's addictive and soon everyone on board is wandering around the ship mezmerized playing it... They finally figure out that the game has chemical affects on the brain and the players become physiologically addicted and it alters their higher reasoning processes.

You can't buy time, you can only spend it...

thx... Rene'

JUN

Gary - Both my husband and I have made a decision to try to simplify our lives. We downsized to a smaller home with a smaller yard, which he cuts with a hand reel mower. We sold our sailboat, which we loved, but required a lot of work. I'm saying no to new commitments, such as the Rotary club and local committees. The decisions around how much time to spend on Twitter, Facebook, Active Rain, and my outside blog/websites is an issue that I haven't resolved, because that involves increasing the complexity in our lives and yet, it seems like an essential part of life in the year 2009. It's a dilemma.

Boy amen, especially the comment 'no one ever died wishing they had Twittered more!' It's not funny & sometimes out of control.

Hi Gary, You can't hug a computer! Real, live, flesh and blood contact is real life. With more and faster electronic communication, we are spinning out of control! Faster does not translate into better!

I used to play a lot of games on line and hang out on line. At the end of the day I do not want to be anywhere near a computer. I told my kids my game is called SEO and Active Rain. I don't need to play any others. The scoring is brutal, at the end it is in cash, or lack thereof.

One of the best selling books in the history of mankind says that our lives here on this earth are like a vapor.....in other words.....POOF!!! Here today and gone tomarrow. Ahhhh yesssss. Quality of life scores larger and larger the older I get. Thanks for the reminder to be good stewards of the time we are alloted.

I'm the same age as Michael Jackson and Billy Mayes - both who didn't have the joy of enjoying the morning today. I find it hard to balance work, networking and family. Our business has exploded much to the thanks of social networking, but none of the success or work is worth anything without balance - family, friends, faith -- a significance of living -- that's what I value most!

Amen brother. Figure out how much you are willing to commit and make sure to do that. I'm very afraid of the trap you are talking about.

I agree whole-heartedly. I spend my Sundays doing fun, family things and I lay off the social networking. I still work occasionally on Sunday, but only if I have a particular buyer in town or a seller.

I think the issue is more that you do or don't have a plan for how you are going to use the social media (and the computer), and as a result of not having a plan get easily distracted by all the wonderful things a computer can do. Use it as a tool, write down the things you need the computer for before sitting down to use it, and then sit down get it done and more on (to the things that don't require the computer).

I, myself, usually do all my writing by hand first and then re-create it on the computer; much easier to use paper and a pen first, than to fight with a computer program over format/look before you've decided on what you want your final product to look like.

You are just so right about all of that, we do put ourselves last and we do need to make those necessary changes.

Great post.

Deb

Congrats on the feature Gary! And here I am, in front of the computer again, but alas, I have to enter another listing on mls and this was a just a quick "pop-by" to see what was happening.... 15 minutes later.... OK, I'm off to the mls!

Who just hijacked your blog with a bunch of html code??>

Anyway, we constantly need to be reminded of the need to have balance in our lives. You seem to have a knack for giving these incredible inspirational thoughts.

JUN

GAry - Social media is so tme consuming. They key is setting a limit to how much time we spend each day and not exceeding what we plan ....wish I could get better at this.

JUL

Coincidentialy -- (although I don't think there are any, really) - my coach and I were talking about balance today. Not so much in terms of social media time - self care time was the topic. but it all hinges on we only have have the time we have, and how do I want to spend it - wisely, productively -- or wasting it spinning my wheels on things that don't make any sense at all. Thanks -- and congratulations.

JUL

Very true Gary. My father just got out of the hospital this morning. Family first.

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