Time for the Poor

Modern humanity appears to be in a financial crisis like never before – and the failing currency is time. How often have you heard someone say, or even claimed yourself, that they’re time poor? (I can’t point a finger as there would be three pointing back!)

I was recently with a group of people involved in the writing industry in various ways. Each of them lead a busy life and I started thinking about all the things they achieve in the space of a week, let alone a year. It’s a pretty full load.

Interestingly, I know most of these individuals also actively create opportunities to support others, including with their time. Each activity may not necessarily equate to a huge commitment, but anyone who’s felt the pressure of overwhelming ‘to dos’ will appreciate how even a small hand can make life seem so much more manageable.

In my writing journey I can name many super busy people who have given me an investment of their most precious resource. Time. Observing their lives, I’ve noticed these individuals make generosity with their time a habit. Their investment may have been simply an email of encouragement, a book review on a relevant forum, purchasing a novel, critiquing a poem, re-posting book related events – or it may have been a far greater investment like editing a manuscript, publishing written work, making a book launch happen and so many other forms of time based support.

This brought me back to the Biblical depiction of a generous person, that being one who devises (mentally plans and prepares) generous things (Isaiah 32:8). To me this does not suggest a haphazard event, but rather a strategic, purposefully measured gift. So I asked myself – how generous am I with my time? Even more specifically, how often do I devise generous plans with my time as a writer?

I’m probably preaching to the choir, but don’t you think actively inventing ways to be generous is a great approach to life (including supporting our fellow writers)? Given our modern pressures, perhaps our best bet for effective strategising is to target one of our greatest deficits. And let's make every 'time dollar' count.

Adele Jones lives in Queensland, Australia. She writes young adult and historical fiction, poetry and short inspirational works. Her first YA novel Integrate was released in September 2014. Her writing is inspired by a passion for family, faith, friends, music and science – and her broad ranging imagination. To find out more visit www.adelejonesauthor.com or email contact@adelejonesauthor.com