Blog

Taking Your Time

September 27, 2016   /   by  Diane Callihan

Why You Should Schedule Happiness

I wake up every morning 5 minutes before my alarm goes off, throw on the shorts and tank top I laid out the night before, and get in my car before my brain knows what’s happening.

I drive down to a path along the shores of Tampa Bay and walk for 40 minutes. Now, when I start, it is cool and not quite light yet. I watch the bats swoop overhead. I see the birds skimming over the water looking for breakfast. I hear the splash of a fish jumping.

I see many of the same people every day. A man who drives down to the marina every morning and pulls himself and his wheelchair out of the car to go sit with some buddies on a park bench and watch the boats.

An older gentleman who walks his dog every day without fail. The dog—Mags—has a limp and likes to unsuccessfully hunt rabbits. (She’s never caught one.) She is the happiest creature I have ever seen.

I see cyclists, walkers, runners and fishermen – all of whom say good morning. I watch the sun turn from a red sliver on the horizon to ignite the whole sky.

This is my time.

A walk isn’t the best or most intense workout you can have, but that’s not why I do it. My morning walk lets me set the tone for each day. It makes me feel grounded and peaceful.

Soon there will be traffic and frustration. There will be news and politics and tragedies. There will be stress and deadlines and challenges at work.

But not yet.

For this time that I carve out each day, there is just this walk. This sky. This breeze. This breath.

Do you have time set aside each day that is just for you? Just doing something that makes you happy? Something that is good for your mind, body and soul?

Everyone today is so busy. They say they don’t have time for this stuff. They say they’d rather get a few more precious minutes of sleep. They say the sun will still rise even if they aren’t watching.

But shouldn’t we be watching?

At Roger West, we understand there is more to life than business. We’re cyclists, walkers, runners, surfers and fishermen, who all love the beauty of Tampa Bay. Let us help you make time for the important things. Let’s Talk.

Diane Callihan

Diane Callihan

With more than 20 years of experience writing for some of the country’s top brands, Diane helped to shape Roger West’s content strategy, lead generation, and PR efforts as Director of Marketing. She currently serves as President of Callihan Content Creation.