Write your story with plenty of white-space
October 7, 2009 at 12:24 am 5 comments
I live in the world of marketing. I view and read direct mail letters, print ads, web banners everyday. Nothing makes me more agitated than to look at print that has little to no white-space. The come back is always the same… I have too much to say and not enough room to say it in.
Wow! What an incredible teachable moment. Sounds just like my life and without meaning to be all inclusive, sounds like the live of most of the people I live and work with. Too much to say (do) and not enough space (time) to do it in.
I am sorry to say that my life is at times so crowded that the people around me have a difficult time reading even the HEADLINES of my life, far more the actual body copy.
Some of the many symptoms of having no white-space in my life is how much stuff I find myself forgetting… My charger in the hotel, my watch which right now is sitting on my vanity in my bathroom at home, the names of people I see on a regular basis. Can you relate?
I am on a plane from L.A. to Atlanta. It’s October 6, 2009, 8:08 P.M. and I am going to be intentional about making more white space in my life beginning now.
Would you like to join me in this commitment? Here is my game plan.
1. I am going to begin by making time to journal for just 10 minutes in the morning rather than watching the weather channel. (I know, its beginning to sound more like a sign of being old!)
2. I will prioritize my time around the roles in my life that are most important, Husband, Dad, Grandfather, Consultant, Writer, Speaker, etc.. if something gets left out at least it won’t be that which is most important.
3. I will ask my good friend Bill Jacobs to hold me accountable.
What about you? Do you have enough white-space in your life? If the answer is no, what’s your game plan for creating margin?
Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: Work Life Balance.
1.
Laurel DiBrog | October 7, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Hi Terry – I was just thinking this the other day. As I continue shoving 10 pounds of life in to a 5 pound bag – I caught myself in a quiet moment in discomfort. I stopped myself and said, “Wow, white space and it’s taking me out of my comfort zone.” When did that happen? I used to relish my quiet, meditative time and now my life is so noisy that the absence of that noise disturbs me and I want to fill the white noise with multi-color stimulation. So, driving to see my boy, Clifford the wonder horse, I turned off the radio and just drove the 40 minutes in quiet. I actually loved it and my head felt great. So thanks for reminding me that white space is good. So easily forgotten as we rush to catch trains, planes and automobiles.
2.
Paola Villar Werstler | October 8, 2009 at 3:54 pm
My Dear Terry,
Ahh, white space, something that meant I had to grab my sharpie and fill it quickly. White space, defined as time I could be doing something “meaningful.” Stretching the margins on my paper of life to be sure I was taking advantage of every minute. I learned the truth behind what we call “God’s quiet, listen” at our house about 6 years ago. My son and daughter have taught Chris (my husband) and me so much over the course of their incredible 17 and 19 years. We were rushing soemwhere, trying to get a bite of food into everyone before running to the car…Camille and Hugo were “dillydallying” in the kitchen at the table. I walked in full of righteousness, “Don’t you know how late we are? What are you doing!!??” With faces full of seriousness and joy, as only children seem able to still show together, Hugo replied, “God’s quiet, listen.” I almost collasped, what a gift….my children had reminded me that a quiet moment was the “present.” We have laughed and spoken solemnly about this road sign we were given as a family, but most importantly, we have helped each other try and enjoy the “God’s quiet, listen” moments, no matter how infrequently they may arise. Smiles to you and Debbi!
3.
Ginny Jackson | October 12, 2009 at 4:12 am
White space in your life can create such conflice. Like, you need the time to decompress, but when you do, you are hammered by all the things that still need to be done.
So getting comfortable with that white space, so you can recharge and reconnect to people and yourself is harder than it sounds.
But I too have felt, I really need this. I am worth the space to for me to hear God and to really connect with what matters most, other people. How are they, how do they feel, what do they think? All the other stuff can wait, the clothes eventually will get washed, the rug will get vacuumed.
What is really important to God today? What do you want to say to me today that really matters God?
4.
cole | October 12, 2009 at 4:15 pm
It’s not so much that I lack white space in my LIFE as much as it is that I struggle to make room for white space in my HEAD. For the most part, I’m pretty good at making time to do whatever it is I want to do, (and not having time to do whatever it is I don’t want to do!). But what’s really difficult is to ever shut off the mind, even for a few minutes. My own thinking wakes me up at night! Over and over I’ve made the wrong choice—how am I ever to recognize the right one? Being a believer in God, in Jesus Christ, I consider the verse that says perfect loves drives out all fear. At what point in one’s spiritual walk does that happen? Long distance running used to provide a good bit of relief, but I’ve a baby that’s due in a matter of weeks, so instead I’ve taken on bikram yoga. For 90 minutes my only concerns are those that I have complete control over—my breathing, my balance, and my flexibility. If you’ve got the space in your life, just not in your head, I highly recommend it.
5.
Terry Y | November 6, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Because a life (my life) is a creative work of art, it needs white space. What a concept! And what a great way of looking at the way I live it. Thank you! Quiet time and not beginning a new activity without thinking will be something I determine to do…