I’m very excited again this week to join a talented group of women bloggers in an online, unedited flash mob free write. This week, the word-prompt given to us by our fearless leader Kate Motaung (whose wonderful blog can be found at katemotaung.com) is “time“. My timer is set for 5 minutes; ready, set,

As we transition from one year to the next, we typically focus on time. How did we spend the time we were given over the past 12 months; what do we want to accomplish or do or become in the coming year?

This past week, most people moved from focusing on time to thinking about and dreaming about money. With all the talk of the mega-million lottery, many people were spending their time in lines at their local convenience store in order to buy that coveted winning ticket.

I spent some time thinking of what I’d do if I won, and I actually couldn’t come up with much of a list. I’d tithe every year (no lump payment here) pay off my son’s and daughter’s student loans, pay off my SUV, buy a class B camper, buy a very small house, and quit my job. That’s it.

I don’t want more stuff. I want more time.

And while time can’t be purchased, time can be freed up through money. You need more time on the weekends to do what you love? Hire a house cleaner so you are relieved of that time-consuming chore. Have a huge yard for the kids to play in but you’d rather play with them than mow and edge it and take care of the garden areas? Hire a lawn service to take care of those things.

Time can’t be created; it can be re-allocated.

I read the book The Other 8 Hours a year or so ago and gained some interesting perspectives about time and some new ideas about how to better utilize the time I’m not either asleep or at work. Self-discipline is required.

Lots of it.

I’d rather buy a lottery ticket.