Transforming Our Relationship With Time,

from, Debbie Rosas.

While time may never cease its relentless march, we can alleviate the pressure it exerts by transforming our relationship with it. For over four decades, I have developed a variety of Nia body and life training programs, each designed as part of a holistic system to help individuals connect with, embrace, and celebrate their bodies.

Reflecting on how I’ve found the time to create this extensive body of work, I realize that my focus on time—as well as the urgency it often brings—would have hindered rather than helped my creativity. When I’m caught up in the rush, I tend to make poor choices, propelled by a need to move faster in every aspect of my life.

I remember any path that yields substantial rewards for my body, mind, emotions, and spirit is the right one to pursue.

As time flows on, I find I need a spaciousness to function with ease and joy. In 1983, my life took an unexpected turn. I was compelled to abandon the structured, high-impact aerobics routines I relied on for fitness. This shift wasn’t a conscious choice; it felt like divine intervention, leading me into what I call “found time.”

In this realm, I experience a sense of peace, allowing me to do less and slow down. Many people sensed a similar awakening during the pandemic—a newfound time that encouraged reflection and a reevaluation of how they live. To me, found time is a space where my logical mind recedes, allowing intuition to flourish.

Today, we’re often conditioned to rush, to carve out and manage time; but there’s another way to achieve our goals.

It’s like wandering through life and discovering an open door through which I step. In that moment, time seems to pause, and logical reasoning fades. I find myself standing at the edge of a new horizon, full of possibilities. Here, I feel my body, mind, emotions, spirit, and evolving self as distinct yet interconnected.

I hear the universe, drowned out by the old refrain of “you can’t.” In this state, I’m enveloped by light and love, inspired to grow and trust in the unknown. I’ve embraced this “found time” as my personal sanctuary, a space where I listen to the universe and align with the natural flow of time.

We can release urgency and step into found time, where we experience a slowing down and the dissolution of constraint.

Before discovering the power of found time, I relied on affirmations like “I can do it all” or reminders to “relax and slow down.” However, words alone proved insufficient to shift my underlying relationship with time. To cultivate a more harmonious system, I turned inward, seeking guidance from my body and its innate wisdom.

I knew from experience that tuning into the body’s rhythms would help me align with my highest joy and values. I’ve learned that the purpose of setting goals is not merely to accomplish tasks but to do so with joy, supported by a healthy body and mind. Part of my practice involves engaging with found time.

Creating the space to focus on what truly matters to me may sound paradoxical, but to fully embrace found time in both life and work, I must relinquish my rigid perception of time and trust in the process of letting go. This instinctive behavior is essential for my whole being to remain calm and centered amidst life’s demands.

My Top 10 Tips for Finding Time

1. Examine Your Attitude: Reflect on your beliefs and experiences related to time. Shift your perspective to cultivate a healthier relationship with it.
   
2. Mind Mantra: Throughout the day, repeat the affirmation, “I have time.”
   
3. Commit to Found Time: Recognize and embrace found time as a vital choice for your well-being.
   
4. Establish Flow: Assess how you spend your time through the lens of time-distance-speed. For each goal, consciously slow down your perception of these elements until you feel a sense of calm, then proceed.
   
5. Plan Ahead: Create a “Found Time Plan” for the upcoming year, prioritizing what you wish to achieve. Give each task an inspiring project name.
   
6. Choose Wisely: Begin each day by asking which project feels most appealing. If you feel stuck, shift to another task. Sustaining joy will lead to greater productivity.
   
7. Protect Your Energy: Recognize that your life force energy is your most precious resource. Be mindful of how you spend it, especially regarding screen time.
   
8. Mindful Awareness: Pay attention to your feelings about time throughout the day. If you sense stress, take a deep exhale, allowing your body to relax into the present moment.
   
9. Focus Intently: Dedicate yourself to one task at a time, giving it your full attention. Remember that five minutes of concentrated effort can be more effective than thirty minutes of distraction.
   
10. Meditate Daily: Use meditation to tap into the sensation of found time, anchoring yourself in the present and enhancing your relationship with time.

By embracing these practices, you can navigate life with a renewed sense of ease and fulfillment, allowing found time to enrich your journey.

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