SIMPLE QUESTION
- Gwen Henderson
- Jul 6
- 2 min read
SIMPLE QUESTION
I heard the footsteps on the basement stairs before I saw the producer of them. There was only one person that could be running up the stairs. “I have a question to ask you. I just read it and want to know your answer,” my husband said. Immediately I thought, trick question but indulged him. It was a simple question and one that I have since posed to others. The response from others almost always begins with, “It depends.” My response back to them is almost always, “it is a simple question, give a simple answer,” and then they say, “this is hard.” The question isn’t difficult! The answer should be straightforward. Ready for the question? “What would you do with an extra hour in the day?” It is a simple question, but it is not an easy one.
I didn’t hesitate to respond when I heard the question. I would spend the extra hour doing exactly what I love to do and what I do most days. Because my answer seemed too simplistic, I have continued to ponder it. I have the awesome privilege of napping, writing, painting, cooking, working out, gardening, or socializing with friends and family when I want to do so. I would do more of what I do now.
Often after the responses already shared, others will begrudgingly answer with these kinds of responses: get additional rest, exercise, spend it with children or spouse, read, or meditate. The answer I have yet to hear, “work longer and harder.”
My pushback is some version of this – why would you use the gift of an extra hour engaged in something you are seemingly unwilling to create extra time to do currently? The day’s length is fixed - 24 hours. This is how a day is measured, and it is not going to change. If one used the gifted hour as forementioned, what keeps one from carving the time from the current twenty-four? If one’s use of an imaginary hour is important enough to be given priority, then should it not be a priority in twenty-four? I pose the questions, face your truth and answer. Again, simple questions but not easy.
The truth is this, there are more than enough hours in a day to do all the things that one prioritizes. The truth is this; time may not be the challenge, priorities may be. Think about it. It is simple, but is it easy?
PONDER THIS THOUGHT--- Priorities are solely the responsibility of the one setting them.
I concur. I used to "Time block" my days a few years ago and it made me realize how much time I waste. Having an extra hour I wonder if I would waste it looking at a Twilight Zone episode. I hope I would use it reading, writing or sharing it with a loved one.