I call it “dead time”. It’s time spent waiting for something, and you are captive. For example, when you are stuck in traffic, or waiting in a doctor’s office, or waiting for a slow computer to boot up. Minutes, maybe hours, of your life pass by, and you have to fill them with something. Some folks stare at their phones, some strike up perfunctory conversations with those around them, still others just sit and ponder random thoughts.
There can be better ways to use dead time. Prayer is certainly a good one. Planning some sort of service to others could be productive. Keeping your mind busy by bringing along a crossword puzzle or a word search would be beneficial (although not while driving!). Text a sweet message to someone who could use a little attention.
Make your dead time come alive. You only get so much of it.
Thanks for all your ‘minutes’ as they inspire me and others to do the right things!
Thank you so much for being a subscriber helen.
I think of waiting for something, especially in traffic as being saved by something I don’t want to happen. Perhaps an accident that would have happened if I had been further on my trip. Or waiting on someone to pick me up and they are late. Were they “intentionally delayed” because had they been a few minutes earlier something would have happened to them? When in the doctor’s office and it is getting past my appointment time, I think about an occasion when the doctor may have taken a little extra time with me for an important reason and delayed another persons appointment by a few minutes. Grateful for the patience, no pun intended. Have a good “dead time”, next time.
Such great advice! Thanks Mary Jo.