Finding Time to Linger

Yesterday I found myself down a rabbit hole of time. I got sucked into reading all about kairos, living a life of kairos, and well let’s be honest, first I had to even understand what the word meant after I’d read it in a book earlier in the week. As soon as I read that Kairos was the youngest son of Zeus and the God of Opportunity I was pretty much convinced that I must dig deeper. A reference to Greek mythology opens the door for me to dive right in and remember the giant orange book of mythology that I had when I was little. 

Anyway, not only was Kairos the God of Opportunity, kairos was also one of two terms used by the Greeks to talk about time. 

We spend so much of our days and lives consumed by ‘time’ and often feeling that there’s not enough of it. However, that’s Chronos time or our 24hr linear clock version of time and all of the things that we try and cram into our minutes, hours, and days. Kairos on the other hand is the non-linear type of time and all about opportunities. To go further, it’s that moment when the right opportunity presents itself and you harness it. This type of time is bountiful, we just have to notice it.  

As I sat and thought about it, life for me, and the reason I started The Linger Movement, is all about kairos. After years and years fighting or racing the clock (literally and figuratively from swimming to working) I found the joy of slowing down, harnessing the small and large opportunities in front of me, and the power that being more present brought me.

We live in a world of busy, where it’s almost a badge of honor to be busier than the next guy or gal, yet I’m determined to change it one small moment at a time. Traveling all around the world I’ve had many moments to linger. Yes, it’s absolutely amazing to be summiting Kilimanjaro, crossing the finish line of the Paris Marathon, diving with stunning sea turtles in Indonesia, toasting the sunset on the Mediterranean, the list goes on. I want to bring those feelings, the awe, peace, and the appreciation of this wonderful life into the everyday. Savoring the small moments of coffee in the morning, watching a child at play, or receiving an email of thanks, whatever it might be there are so many moments of kairos we tend to let pass us by. When you invite more presence, a moment of pause, a simple breath into moments of your day, you’ll find that you’re more connected, decisions are easier, and your overall well-being is transformed. In short, Linger Awhile.

So my challenge to you is... how do you begin to Linger Awhile in the everyday? 

If you need a little help getting started don’t worry, I’ve got your back. You can download my free 101 Ways to Linger Awhile here to give you some ideas.  This list is a jumping off point and I love to hear from others how they find moments to linger so please share and join the movement. So come play on Instagram with me @thelingermovement!

I hope you enjoy discovering the kairos of life and savor the opportunities of joy that make our days beautiful and create moments of magic!

 xoxo

jessie

The Linger Movement

Pause : Breathe : Savor the Moment