There were all sorts of special reminders today that it was…special. A bonus! I heard people talking about what to do with the “extra” day and “wouldn’t it be great if it fell between Saturday and Sunday…”

For me, time tracking has always been a struggle. I lose days sometimes, even weeks…and I’m only 44 years old. I just get lost in the progression of the calendar and convince myself I’m somewhere other than where I really am in the time continuum. I have even purchased plane tickets according to my imaginary calendar only to be sadly brought back to the reality that everyone else on the planet works on Gregorian time…whatever!

Here’s what I know to be true about time, whether it leaps, lingers, speeds past or jumps around us in joy filled moments.

• We put way too much pressure on ourselves—and those we love—expecting perfect times. Time, as it is, is perfect. We’re the ones who muddle it all up with expectations, deadlines, objectives and the false idea that it will unfold as we’ve planned. We are so focused on the outcome of the “times” that we (sometimes) fail to see how truly perfectly they do unfold. Even if it’s not according to our prescribed standards.

• Quality time can’t really be measured according to marketing messages from your favorite credit card company. Quality time instead may be presented to you wrapped up in things you think sabotage your quest for quality—like when you’re already late and you’re stuck at a rail road crossing waiting for the longest, slowest train on earth to pass. That’s a gift…time to yourself, or with the precious others sharing the passenger compartment. Or the 30 seconds waiting for the microwave that feels like an eternity. That can be transformed into three cleansing breaths that refocus your energy. Unless someone is going to transport you to a spa or a mountaintop for a weekend, the gift of time for yourself needs to be appreciated in the increments in which it is presented.

• Time sensitive. Ugh. How many time sensitive things do you receive in the mail every day? How many urgent messages pressure you to hurry up before it’s too late? You know what are really time sensitive? Times with a child or with an aging parent. They are the times that we realize only too late pass all too quickly. Be sensitive to those treasured moments when someone needs to hold your hand.

• Time out. You know…it’s what happens if you are a child and continue to make “bad choices.” Well personally, I think it’s a great idea! Give yourself one…and don’t wait until you make bad choices. Time away, even if it’s just at the edge of a crowded room, can help you adjust your perspective and see opportunities to share some goodness. When you feel left out in a crowd—step back and you’ll see the truly disenfranchised who may need you. When you feel too busy to breathe—stop. Unless you have your finger on a nuclear trigger, the world will not be forever adversely affected if you wait just one minute to collect yourself. Well okay, if you have your finger on a nuclear trigger, please…take all the time you need to collect yourself!

• About being late…my Mother and I were walking into an event a teensy bit late once (Maybe it was one of many times, but I never felt pressured or ashamed. She had a way of making me feel just right). A very efficient and orderly local physician greeted my mother with “Charlotte Mathers, you’ll be late to your own funeral!” My mother, without missing a beat or changing her gracious inflection said, “Well I certainly hope so!” Please…let’s not take ourselves too seriously!

• When you feel alone. You’re not. You’re never alone. You may feel lonely…that’s okay, because then you can appreciate how important it is to reach out to those who are lonely all the time…but you are never alone. God was there before you even arrived at the idea of aloneness. He’s behind you, in front of you and wrapped all around you. Problem is, God doesn’t always meet us in the way we’d like our human needs met. He doesn’t answer back when we’re alone and questioning whether the jeans we want to wear out are really too tight. He doesn’t expedite our prayer requests like a cosmic drive through window “Yeah, I’d like a better marriage, more money, better health and a side of fries.” And he doesn’t rescue us when we demand it. He waits for us in that small space where we allow our time and our purpose to be His. We never arrive at that space too late. He waits to meet us there and to say, “Oh good, you’re just in time!” Thank goodness!