Recently, I listened to a podcast interview with Oliver Burkeman, author of “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals.” Instead of measuring our life in years, what if we measured it in weeks? How many weeks might we have left if the average span is 4000 weeks, and how might we spend our energy toward building a life of meaning and joy? Burkeman suggests that when we attempt to cram a lot into our lives and perfect certain aspects of our lives, we may be trying to escape our finitude. All of our lives have limits.
It reminded me of a good friend who realized one day that he would never read all the books he wanted to read. Though we live in an age of modern time-saving conveniences, we still must make choices as to what to do with our limited time. I may not ever be a pickleball champion or get all my closets tidy. I might not climb all the 14,000 foot mountains in Colorado or learn to bake bread. But what will I do with the gift of breath and time I’ve been gifted?
Lee C. Camp, host of the podcast “No Small Endeavor” recalled some memories of the Catholic monk Thomas Merton. He said that somewhere Merton remarked, ‘I have often found myself trying to wring every last morsel of pleasure out of some wondrous moment to the detriment of the moment’s wonder.’ I love the idea that maybe what we need to accomplish in the coming year, or in the remaining weeks of our life, is less about productivity and more about wonder.
To wonder is to first, pay attention. It’s less about multitasking and checking off major items on the bucket list and more about slowing down to experience the awesome reality bursting before our eyes. Psalm 46 says, “Be still and know that I am God,” and in Luke 12:27 Jesus says “Consider the lilies of the field, they neither toil nor spin.” God invites us to wonder.
Grace and Peace,
Carla