We Use These Up - Magically

I remember once when I was so busy, it felt like I didn't even have time to breath. We’ve all had times like that. Mostly, we hate them. We always say that when we get through it, we’re going to kick back and relax. Or read more. Or something. At least that’s what I said. And when I finally got through it, that’s exactly what I did. For a while. But a short time later, somehow I realized I didn’t have that free time anymore. I wasn’t involved in as many things, but somehow, all that extra time just kinda got used up.

Almost everybody I know who retires, within a short time says “I’m so busy right now. I don’t know how I got by when I was working.” Time: no matter how much we have, we use it. We all do. Human nature I guess.

But it’s not just time. The same goes for money. Yeah, we all know that. One time many years ago, my wife got laid off. Our income was cut just about in half. We felt so poor. For a while. But then somehow, we got by. Pretty much the same as when she was working, or it sure seemed that way. Then, when she got a new job a few months later, we had all kinds of cash rolling in. We felt rich. For a while. But then somehow, we seemed to adjust, and we didn’t feel any richer than before.

Time and money. Two things we always use up. But there's one more, at least in my mind: Space. As in living space, or storage space. Think your house is cramped? Too much stuff? Not enough room for it all? Go ahead, add on. I dare you. Build an extra bedroom or two. Or maybe a barn. Whatever. I can guarantee, within a year, it will be just as full as before. It’s almost magical.

Time. Money. Space. You’re just not going to get ahead with these. And honestly, we’d probably all be better off if we didn’t even try.