Time for Something

 I think about this a lot-how I can use my time well at work when I am not busy. There are moments throughout the days that its slow for me, I don't have much to do, there are no students who need help and I'm left to myself of how to make the remaining time go by quickly enough but also somewhat productive, (or at least look like it)! 

Of course like anyone, I like and enjoy to be busy and productive at my job. For some even, it could instill some anxiety if they are not presented with any alternatives to keep them busy and useful. I don't get anxious luckily, but I do try and think of how I can make the situation a bit more enjoyable, better if possible. I've even tried to help students who have no work to do and are just staring into space or at their phones and who look so bored. I've given them some alternatives to help them use their open time a bit better.

 The first week of school felt like we were playing games all week in 1 or 2 of the classes where they have time for homework. I had ideas to play hang man on the white board or Scattergories and another student introduced me to an online Pictionary game. I could tell overall the students enjoyed it. It made the time go by faster and they were a bit entertained interacting with some of their peers. Now that school has progressed a bit, some of the students have more work to do, but others have the same issue with too much open time. I often think of how much could be done with this open time, one could learn a language, read a book, write a story, draw, learn more about a subject.. the possibilities are endless! But these students may not think of it the same way I do. I told them if I were them, I would bring a book or something else to do if I had so much open time. Or else, its going to be a loooong school year. 

I think about this topic of time and usefulness because it has to do with one of my favorite authors and books- Immacule Illibagiza who wrote her incredible survival story from the Rwandan Genocide titled Left to Tell. She survived by being locked up in a cramped bathroom with a few other women in a Pastor's home who was hiding these women. In her book, she wrote many times about using the open hours and days of sitting uncomfortably and very fearfully, not knowing the outcome of the war and when and if she would be found out and die full of prayer and conversations with God, praying the Rosary. She even had a vision to study the English language and was able to get some resources to learn while in the small bathroom for roughly 3 months. She is such an inspiring and empowering faith-filled women, I never get bored of reading her books. 

I also think about a great saint I admire, St. Josemaria who was so resourceful and sensitive in using our time well for God's glory. I read it in one of the books about him how during the Spanish civil war they were cooped up in a room sharing with a few of the other men, and St. Josemaria advised them all to use the long, open days with a set schedule and also for each of them to learn a language so they could spread the spirit of Opus Dei to other people and areas. I was reminded of these details in a blog post I recently read from a lovely blogger who I sometimes follow. She is so inspirational, faith-filled and joyful and she too mentioned during the beginning of the Pandemic that she was going to structure her days and have a set schedule. 

I use these examples as reminders for myself. I don't have as much free time as I once had in the summer or even last Fall. And I can say there are pros and cons with both, and there definitely is a sweet spot in the middle and learning how to balance it all. But like I mentioned above, there are days and hours throughout the week at work where I'm left to get creative and innovative once again! Sometimes acronyms help, like if I'm in a building with a certain letter, I've been trying to think and pray to saints whose names start with that letter! Something so simple, but can be helpful and powerful. I'm noticing its the little things that count and can help make the routine or open time more like a form of prayer rather than an inconvenience or an annoyance. 

Happy Labor Day weekend!!

Flowers from garden in SF last wknd:)