EDDY'S PAGE
by Eddy Robey M.A.

"How do you do?"
"Very well, thank you, and you?"
"How are you?"
"Fine thanks"
"How's it going?"
"Busy"

The niceties of life are changing. "Busy," has become the almost universal answer to a polite inquiry. This is often followed by a litany of responsibilities and complaints. At recent gatherings, I have noticed a tendency to some one-upmanship about who is the most overburdened.

As you may know, I have a great fondness for simple amusements: strolling in gardens, visiting museums, and baking cookies. When I mention doing these things, an unfortunate number of people respond by saying, "I wish I had the time."

Two important men in my life taught me lessons about that.

My father would say, "Never be late, or in a hurry." Though he as been gone for almost twenty years, I still live on Robey time, which means having a relaxed gait, yet always being fifteen minutes early.

My son helped me perfect that skill, by the mere fact of his existence. At first, he awakened every four hours, which meant that after feeding him at two, I'd need to be awake again at six. The night feedings ended, as they always do, but he still awoke at six.

As joyous as it was to be a young mother, there was another need in my life. What was that? Every person must have some quiet, private time. My way to have that was to arise at five. For one glorious hour, the world was mine. I would pour a cup of coffee, listen to the birds, and see the sunrise. That peace set the tone for my whole day.

Yes, I was the party-pooper who left events early, and never seemed to view the latest television show, but there was no hurry or tension in my life. I had learned to budget time for what mattered to me.

That learning served me well in grad school, when I found that the way to be at ease during finals was to turn in my papers before they began. Of course, that meant choosing my topic and starting to write the first week of the term. Later, my students would ask the best way to prepare for an exam. I told them, "Eight hours of sleep and a good breakfast." The best of them listened to me.

Do you want some extra time? Well, on the 21st of June we all have it, for that is the longest day of the year. G-d will give us a few more minutes of light. Perhaps, it will be just enough time for you to finish your errands, and settle in to watch the sunset. You could decide that is the day to sit under a tree enjoying an ice cream cone, look at a flower, or write a long-overdue letter to a friend.

After that special allowance, you must decide how to create those extra minutes for yourself. If you are busy, let it be with the purpose of celebrating your life. Learn to budget your time, so that you have it to spend on happiness.