The Calendar

I am not sure if everyone is like me, but Mondays are a big deal. It is the day I actually look at the calendar and think about what is ahead for me in the week. The majority of the times it is dismal, with only the usual written on it. You would think after some time of doing the same activities on the same day, I wouldn't have to write gym, Monday coffee, volunteer and paddle on the calendar, but I do. At the start of every month, I faithfully write my routine on the open little squares on the calendar. Although I seem busy, there would be very little in the squares if I didn't write my routine. Quite frankly my calendar is not only boring, but also very messy. If I have a booked appointment, I just squeeze it in somewhere on the little square. I should consider highlighting it because it can go unnoticed and has in the past.  

                                          

When I wake up, my first question to myself is, "what day is it and what do I do today?". What a simple life I lead. I don't have to hit the ground running; I just casually move into my day. Being retired is a "rite of passage" in my world. Serving your time rushing through life is short lived and then you arrive where I am, clueless as to what day it is. I dreamed my entire working life of the day I would just start my day with a cup of coffee and nothing on my mind. That day has arrived, and I love it.

One of my fellow paddlers is a practicing nurse. When the team talks about commitment dates, she pulls out her entire daybook. Out of the blue there it is. She also makes notes about what is required. I remember doing that. When I was her, there was a stay-at-home calendar and a traveling daybook. Not those tiny things form Hallmark, it was a good-sized book. I would reflect on that book and all of its little notes many times during a day.  

When I worked in my business, I made hourly appointments. I knew if there was a fire, I would grab my daybook on the way out the door. I would have zero recall of who to contact if I didn't have the names in my hand. Because apparently that would be important at a time of a fire. 

I know there is an app on my phone that would keep my gym, Monday coffee, volunteer and paddling stored for me. I believe it even sends notifications. I watch young families depend on their app and I think good for them. It saves on the mess on the calendar at home. They also have an ongoing grocery list on their phone, basically life is organized for them. When they get older, they will settle with making a grocery list on paper and then forgetting it at home. That just makes grocery shopping way more fun.  

When it comes to having time in a day, I believe there are two types of people. There are those that always have all kinds of time, they never seem to be in a hurry to do anything. On the flip side there are those that are laser focused on their calendars, and what has to be done. They always seem to be in a rush and have very little time left in a day to do what they want or spend time with others. I think I am both of those people from time to time. It is true, if you want something done ask the busiest person that you know, they just fit it in. A calendar is just a guideline in life. The most meaningful activities are not written on a calendar. They are those conversations you have with a total stranger. Or meeting an old friend just by chance. Or that spontaneous fun thing with a friend that was nowhere near your calendar. Such as the lovely lunch I had at my friend's home, planned in less than an hour. I like to do spontaneous things, and I also like organizing an event and watching it come to life. Calendars are only a tool to keep us organized. Making the events on the calendars a fun and memorable time is up to us. Even if it is a routine, there is still a good time ahead.