www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, September 17, 2015 | 22 I Investing some time in the valuable commodity of time That's Life Andy Juniper Guest Contributor hear it all the time. It's become a manic mantra: I'm so busy. We're all busy. Busy to the point of distraction, exhaustion, where experts say we have limited chance of doing the jobs we're juggling well because it's impossible to successfully juggle when our hands are tied by the consuming creature we've created called `busy'. It's at the point where psychologists say we've become obsessed with (and addicted to) being busy, and we feel bad if we take a minute out of the madness to smell the coffee, or even just take a deep breath. Time, of course, is a valuable commodity, one that should never be frittered away. Trouble is, we've started to think of things like smelling the coffee, or just taking a deep breath, as a frittering away of time when in fact these activities are anything but a waste. Personally, I think Generation Busy needs to refocus and realize we actually have to give up time in order to get time. Years ago, I was super-stressed, sweating the little things, and overwhelmed by the big things. Easy to use. "Contract Free" Leaf and Curb Snow Removal Seeking answers (and help), I found myself sitting across from a lifestyle specialist who was advising me to drop everything for 20 minutes each day to meditate. Well, I told this crunchy granola guru, in my world -- the real world -- I did not have 20 spare minutes to close my eyes, focus on my breathing, and look inward. She smiled (apparently, she'd seen my type before) and offered up an apt metaphor. "Your choice: you can drive down the highway for 10 hours a day on half- at, stressed tires and see how far you get, or you can stop for 20 minutes and ll the tires to their optimum level. I think you'll be shocked at how much farther you get on the full tires." Nowadays, sleep experts are singing a similar tune: suggesting to employers if they supply a lounge and allow workers to nod off for 30 minutes each afternoon, the rested employees will work at peak ef ciency rather than the tired 70 per cent ef ciency at which they typically toil. I recently read an article on Paul McCartney wherein an interviewer asked the 73-year-old Beatle bassist the secret to his endless energy. Seems he spends considerable time upside down. Doing handstands. Apparently, back in the `60s, while taking up yoga, he learned the value of stealing time out of each busy day to walk around on his hands. Give up a little time, rejuvenate yourself, and get even more time back in return. Crazy concept. It's fully embraced by business mogul and famed philanthropist Bill Gates, who twice a year leaves behind work, family and friends for a solitary "think week." That is, time spent re ecting, resetting and rethinking all goals and aspirations, a process Gates says is enlightening. Not a waste of time? On the contrary, an incredible investment of time that, he swears, pays huge dividends. Email Andy Juniper at ajjuniper@gmail.com. For your memories. For always. Call Storybook to assess your Trees Today 905-491-6860 HUGE 5 DAY SALE ON NOW Oakville Mature gardens. Stately mausoleum. Tranquil cremation paths. Choose your special way to preserve precious memories in the timeless beauty of Glen Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery. DON'T MISS THIS! NOW OPEN! Cambridge Whitby & London At a time of need or when planning ahead, call: 905-257-1100 Look for us on Facebook glenoaks.ca Pets! DOOR 12 Plus $ 5 5 $ 5 $ $ 22 12 DOOR CRASHERS 5 10 September th-21st, 2015 17 4002 Trafalgar Rd. Glen Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery by Arbor Memorial 3164 Ninth Line (403 & Dundas St.), Miss./Oakville, ON Arbor Memorial Inc. $ $ 3 $ $ 7 $ 6 $ 10 $ 10 40% 1000's of Products on Sale Store Hours: Mon - Fri 8am-8pm Sat: 9am-6pm Sun: 10am-5pm renspets.com (905) 257-4611 Dr. Vanessa Milich & Associates Family Dental Care Encouraging Healthy and Happy Smiles Caring for Oakville Families for 10 years Welcoming New Patients Evening and Saturday Appointments HEARING AID SPECIAL *Some Conditions Apply (Clients portion) Up to 3 Year Service Warranty HOME VISITS AVAILABLE $295 Latest Technology Family Owned. Proudly Canadian. 60 DAY GUARANTEE: FREE Hearing test · Age 55+ www.hearingclinicgroup.com Queensbury Dental 905.849.8449 Dundas St. Oakmead n Trafalgar Rd. River Oaks Blvd. Upper Middle Rd. Sixth Line 1534 Queensbury Cres., Oakville (on Upper Middle Rd., just west of Trafalgar Rd.) www.queensburydentalclinic.com QEW Hopedale Hearing Clinic 905-827-7333 Martindale In Hopedale Mall, next to the CIBC 1515 Rebecca Street, Unit 38, Oakville