No matter where you are at any given moment today it’s either tomorrow or yesterday somewhere else. Years ago I visited Sweden which is nine hours ahead of California. I returned to work and a colleague handed me a fax sent from Stockholm. He pointed to the date and time.
“Here’s a message from tomorrow,” he chuckled.
I shared this story with Maggie, my 7th grader, who worried about the end of the Mayan calendar December 21st (2012).
“The world can’t end,” she sniffed. “I want to grow up and open a beachfront café. I have a lot to do.”
I tested faith-based rationale. “Only God knows when the world ends,” I soothed.
Maggie still see
med anxious. My youngest daughter is a linear thinker.
“No worries, kid. It’s already tomorrow in Australia. If the world was ending, it would be on the news by now.” She smiled and hopped upstairs.
The imminent New Year gave me reason to pause. We expend time in blocks of minutes, days, or years. They often pass by without our noticing. Consider one minute, when either a decision we make or action we take possibly affects our life’s outcome. In only a minute we can miss a plane and an opportunity. We can make or lose fortunes. We can lose, or gain, a loved one.
Time cannot be bought but it does have a price. It’s only free when you don’t have to do anything or be anywhere. Often there is little regard for how we use it. 
My wife Hun gifted me time one Christmas. She told me exactly what she wanted, where to get it, and saved me from playing shopping roulette. She pined for a work-bench vise, preferably one to clamp two-by-four’s and not my skull.
I executed operation-sweep-her-off-her-feet with a trip to the hardware store. I went from a time deficit to time spared. I figured I’d use the extra time to do something she wanted.
She decided on a family shopping trip to a big city mall.
The four of us walked inside single-file. I noticed a congregation of leaners, sitters and snoozers, guys biding their time waiting for their mates.
Hun split the clan – I had Kate, the 10th grader, and she took Maggie.
I trudged behind Kate who hunted for a deal. A mixture of holiday and rap music blared throughout the store. She zeroed in on a target and removed a woolen item. It had the circumference of a bike tire.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“An infinity s
carf,” she said. “It’s a circle so you don’t have to tie it.”
I wondered how many minutes it takes to tie a regular scarf. She scurried off. I remained alone in no man’s land next to a rack of scarves. I scanned the store and drifted into the intimate apparel section, an area that befuddles most guys. A sales clerk intercepted me.
“Can I help you find something for your daughter?”
“Egad, no.”
“It’s for your wife, then?”
“Umm…” An uneasy feeling chilled my soul. A premonition warned me of danger. I turned to see Hun’s glare. She stood tall; arms crossed and frowning with disapproval. It was time for me to relocate.
“No luck finding binoculars,” I told her. She wasn’t amused. I decided at that moment to trust my instinct: Never pass on a good opportunity to shut up. My testosterone level sank to pre intimate apparel conditions. 
I’m ready for 2014 but won’t overlook the remaining days of 2013. I’ll yearn to enjoy each moment and not take anything for granted. I’ll watch for the positive and amusing episodes that occur on any given day. I’ll make sure to notice them.
I appreciate your time reading Etc. Guy this past year. Many of you sent thoughtful and encouraging notes. I’ll continue writing. I hope that my best times, as a writer, are yet to come.
### Please take the time to share this article. Send me a note at eric@etcguy.com or visit www.etcguy.com and join my Facebook page. Happy New Year.
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Many thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your kind words, appreciate them. Eric
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Yes, you can follow me on twitter by visiting http://www.etcguy.com and clicking the Twitter icon. Etc. Guy also has a facebook page. Thanks for your comment. Eric
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Thanks, appreciate your kind words. Eric
Hi there, I want to subscribe for this blog to get latest updates, so where can i do it please help out.
Hey there, thanks for asking. Just noticed that this particular site does not have an RSS feed. Try visiting my main site at http://www.etcguy.com and subscribe from there. Eric
Have you ever considered publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other websites?
Hi there, as a matter of fact I just released my book “Let Me Tell You a Story” last week…a soft launch thus far… It’s available via Amazon in both electronic or hard copy. Visit http://www.etcguy.com for information. I’d consider authoring for other sites. Shoot me a note at eric@etcguy.com and let’s see what shakes out. Thanks. Eric
Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? Please let me know. Many thanks
Hey, thanks. Feel free to share as I aim to grow the Etc. Guy site. Appreciate it. Eric
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Hi, I would like to subscribe to your website to get newest updates. Where can I do it please help out.
Hi back. I’m cross posting at norcalblogs.com and also my main site at http://www.etcguy.com. You can subscribe to my site using the RSS subscription link (at http://www.etcguy.com), and you can join the Etc. Guy Facebook page by LIKING it. Thanks for your note, appreciate it. Eric
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Hi there, probably best to visit my main Etc. Guy site at http://www.etcguy.com where I have an RSS subscribe link, and also icons to my Facebook and Twitter pages. Thanks for asking. Eric
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It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d gladly donate to this fantastic blog! I guess for now I’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will share this website with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
Thanks Emerson. I don’t have a donate button but I’d appreciate any support as I’m operating on a gerbil-powered budget. Maybe you’d consider buying my book “Let Me Tell You a Story,” just released. It’s available via Amazon or via my main site (www.etcguy.com). Thanks for your kind words. Eric
Inspiring story there. What happened after? Take care!
Well…let’s say that I didn’t buy any lingerie… Thanks for commenting. Eric
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Thanks Danielle, appreciate your comment and support. I enjoyed writing this one. Eric
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Thanks Joel, appreciate your visiting. Feel free to share the site. You can also join my Facebook page at http://www.etcguy.com. Eric