Gary Chapman tells us that the second love language of “The Five Love Languages” is QUALITY TIME!  We need to realize and understand that each of us have a set amount of time.  The fact is:  we all get twenty four hours a day!  What are you doing with your twenty four?  We need to start thinking of time as something that we INVEST!  Realize it or not, we are investing our time into something or someone every day!  We need to make sure that this investment of time is counting, having an impact and making a difference!

Here are just a few of the questions that we must answer, if we are going to be wise investors of our time:  What are who is getting your attention?  What is your life focused on?  What brings real meaning, fulfillment an happiness to your life?  What activities do you participate in that really matter and make a difference?  Quality time is undivided time!  When we invest quality time with those that we love – we make sure that they have our full and undivided attention.  Our attention is on them and their needs.  Our focus is on what they want to do.  Our meaning comes from bringing them pleasure.  Our activity is not that big of a deal – just make sure that it is something that the other person wants to do or be involved in!  (Remember:  This is about them, not you!)

Here are just a few ideas to Make Your Time Count:

Meaningful Conversation – We need to get back to talking, really talking and getting to know one another through conversation.  Next time you are spending some quality time with someone that you love – take time during the conversation to share (give and receive) experiences that have made a difference in your day.  Share thoughts that build up and add value to the person you are sharing with and share the desires of your life – what you would like to see, do and experience.  Don’t interrupt the other person when they are sharing, practice really listening and remember it’s not about you providing a solution, your goal is understanding!

Maintain eye contact!  (The people that we love have amazing eyes – enjoy them!)  Don’t listen and do something else at the same time, even if you can!  (This is about quality, undivided time and attention!)  Listen for feelings!  (Most people camouflage how they feel with the language that they speak – learn to listen to and through the words and you can really get to know those that you love!)  Observe body language!  (It’s amazing how much we speak without saying a word at all!)

The bottom line:  It’s all about just being together and enjoying each other!  Take some time to make your time count today!