Can We Talk 2

Icebreaker

         I once had a Bible study teacher who posed an icebreaker question every Sunday. She was much older than her middle-aged coed class (35 to 50), We learned a lot about each other after a while. I still remember many of those answers. One of the questions was, If you could choose more time or more money, what would you take?

         You can imagine the responses. Not many chose money, but those who did used reasoning like "I'd have a maid to do my housework, so I'd have more time for my family or leisure." Or I could travel instead of working. Most of my life I've had to work two jobs, so having more money would have allowed me to have more time. Somehow money led to time for most people.

         Time led to two different interpretations. There were those who focused on busy schedules, stress, or demands, and wanted more hours in the day. They could accomplish more if the day had more than 24 hours. But a lot of us interpreted it in terms of years; we wanted more time to live. I even said that I had been poor and I could survive. But I haven't been dead yet, so I wanted more time.

         None of us have enough time. The days just seem shorter and shorter. You can't get everything done. I don't know how some people get all their work done and can sit and relax. If I sit and relax, it's because a lot of things are undone. I make to do lists knowing I'll never check everything off. Either I don't get to it and feel frustrated, or I make the conscious decision to skip it in order to reach the end, like a holiday dinner. Even if I'm taking a light day, I don't seem to open that book I've been wanting to read, or I don't get my exercise.

         With so much tragedy in my family lately, our personal mortality is really pressing on us. I have two cousins-sisters, younger than me- who are going through horrific health issues right now. Time, whether hours in the day, or years of life, are pretty valuable.

         I think I would like the money, but not in exchange for time. I really want both.