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How to use time more meaningfully
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In daily life, too often we make a list, hurry through the day to accomplish it, then fall into bed at night only to start again the next day. I call this pinball living. With a few key shifts, we can make our time management more meaningful. - photo by Connie Sokol
In daily life, too often we make a list, hurry through the day to accomplish it, then fall into bed at night only to start again the next day. I call this pinball living. With a few key shifts, we can make our time management more meaningful, as well as enjoyable.

1. Create your day. This concept came to me a few months ago and it has changed my life. The night before or morning of my day, Ill take 1-5 minutes to clearly create it as best I can. That includes asking questions like:

  • How do I want to feel?
  • What needs to happen?
  • Where can I put in the fun, warmth and service?
For example, one night I went mentally through what was scheduled: First was helping a friend with a wedding in the morning, so the feelings I wanted were to be happy and supportive. Then I realized because of that busy situation, I needed to have floor time with my toddler before we left so he felt seen. I mentally put that in. While thinking who might need something, a friends name came to mind who had called me a few times but I hadnt returned it. I did this for a few minutes and almost like a meditation, I felt happy about and ready for the day.

2. People first, projects second. In our must-do schedule we can sometimes view people as interruptions. But our to-do list isnt the focus, its a vehicle to help us do and balance what matters most: people. As we focus on being present for and with others, were truly connected and filled with deeper purpose. And, ironically, we often accomplish our original goals, and even do them better or more enjoyably.

A few months ago I was asked to speak at a writing conference as well as attend the speakers dinner the night before. Typically I dont do both, as I limit my time away from home. But I desired to support the smaller conference and its good efforts. At the dinner, I fell into conversation with two authors at the speakers table. Before you know it, we were scribbling ideas on the hotel notepad for a Christmas anthology, based on a cozy town version of Park City and a terrific plotline. Before you know it, "Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology" was born and launched where it hit No. 1 on Amazon in three different categories. I could not have achieved that by myself in that time frame, and so enjoyably. Putting people and their causes first truly does come back ten-fold to each of us.

3. Whats one needful thing? With so many good options on a daily basis to choose from, knowing where to put our time and energy meaningfully can be a challenge. One of my favorite quotes from Anne Morrow Lindbergh is, My Life cannot implement in action the demands of all the people to whom my heart responds.

We can consider or pray to know what is the one needful thing, at any given time, for our situation. I can ask myself, Whom do I need to connect with, what do I need to spend my time on, what is purposeful for me to do today? As we take 30 seconds to make a meaningful time management choice, we might be surprised at the choices we hadnt considered.

As we intentionally approach our day, how to create it, how to connect with others in it, how to do the needful thing, we find our days more fulfilling, and a peace and contentment we wouldnt otherwise have.

Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.