Tita Nora Larioza speaks at her time management workshop on August 17, 2013 at the University of Calgary. (Photo: Nat Abad)
I’ve been to a few time management sessions so I came into this workshop with the mentality of having heard it all. I know that you can always learn something new but I came in expecting only a refresher course in scheduling and prioritizing.
Tita Nora Larioza’s workshop started off with an activity. We were all split into groups of five and were given four straws, four barbecue skewers, a sheet of cellophane, a roll of string, and some masking tape. With these materials, we were to build a tower that was both tall and sturdy but given a time limit. Before we started, I knew the purpose of the activity was to magnify the importance of time management through a small time constraint; I knew how this activity would end. My group initially struggled to visualize and plan our tower, which took a good portion of our allotted time. Once we got going, we were having fun, everything started to flow, but once Tita announced that we had one minute left, we frantically rushed to complete our tower. The final product was not what we envisioned: not a product of excellence, but a satisfactory result for the sake of a finished product. After we gathered back into our seats to begin the session, Tita Nora asked a very simple question: “Did you guys pray before you started?”
Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established (Proverbs 16:3)
Oftentimes we forget to include Jesus, to offer up to Him whatever it is we are doing. We offer our prayers and petitions during our personal prayer time, but do we consistently remember to acknowledge God during the routine aspects of our lives? How often do we pray before starting homework, before a shift at work, before sports practices or games? The Lord has blessed us with our various responsibilities and talents; therefore it is only right to offer up all we do in thanksgiving.
When I think of time management, I immediately think of “what to do”. I think work, service, school, errands. As young adults, there is so much to do, so much to prepare for, discern for, amid distractions from reality that rarely do we take time to enjoy the simple things that God has blessed us with. I had forgotten that the concept of time management isn’t centered on our responsibilities but is also inclusive of our personal life, our family life, most importantly our relationship with Christ. As CFC-Youth, we are not only called to schedule our lives around being missionaries or models of excellence, but we are also called to always be single minded for God, and sources of unity in our family. Prioritizing (as cliché as it is) is so important in finding that balance in scheduling our lives, so that we may not only be able to live out the identities of CFC-Youth, but our anointing as Christians.
As we get older, we have less time that we are able to spend with our families and that time we do have with them is precious. We can always find time in our day to pray the rosary, reflect on the daily readings, or go to Mass if our schedule allows, and at the very least, to spend at least 15 minutes with Christ in prayer. As our love grows for God, and our families in the quality time we spend with them, our inclination to devote more time with them will grow. It is never about how busy you are but how willing you are and what your priorities are. Remember, fit the large stones in the jar first, and the rest will fit itself.
St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us!
To God be the Glory.
Jeff Adolfo, CFC-Youth Pacific Region
