Being Thrifty with Time

359 Marbles

    My niece recently broke up with her husband.  Although it’s lousy that someone who I love is going through a breakup as well, more selfishly, it is a bit of emotional support.  She recently phoned me after a particularly challenging call with her ex.  My advice to her: “Be as thrifty with your time as you have to be with your money.  You treat your time like it has no value when you should be treating it like it’s the most valuable commodity you have.”  (So easy to see these traits in others.)
    Today, I applied my own advice when talking with Ex-man on the phone.  In a conversation that was headed towards a confrontation, I imagined time slipping away.  At first it didn’t work, so I thought of money slipping away.  I realized quickly that I’m spending precious time.  “I’m sorry.  I have to be thrifty with my time so maybe we could talk later.”  I think he thought I was a bit whacked but it got us out of a conversation that was headed into an argument (yep, after 12 years I know the tell-tale signs.)
    Song of the day: “Precious Time” by Van Morrison. 

Notice if there are times when you’re engaging in conflict with your ex.  Can you sit with the discomfort of not being connected to the person whom you once loved?  Ask yourself if the arguing is a method to stay connected.  Whether it is or it isn’t, experiment with ways to avoid conflict especially if you are still connected by shared children.