The Why of “Perfectly on Time”
Substack has been encouraging me to get back into the “game” and make regular posts and while it’s a lovely theory sometimes “best laid plans” take a slight detour and “Perfectly on Time” allows me to take a pause and a breath followed by that moment of knowing that the world wasn’t created in a day.
When did the mantra begin?
In truth I don’t recall exactly when this phrase became the equivalent of a “mantra”. Perhaps at some point in 2004 when a journey and experience I was walking through suddenly felt so overwhelming that I was almost in tears and a dear friend and mentor chuckled and responded to my wailing with…”you’re right on time”. Ultimately, I changed that just slightly to use the word “perfectly” because new insights and understandings continued to be presented in a most timely and perfect manner. Of course, it may not be a unique statement (as uniqueness goes), but it continues to provide moments of awareness that might otherwise have come and gone without recognition.
A few thanks
Before I continue though, I want to acknowledge and extend thanks to some kind Substack connections who have taken time to reach back on comments I’ve made and truly made this Crone feel like part of this writing community. There’s often a ripple effect that follows a reaching out and this feels like such a time.
There’s a newer reality in my world these days and Ramona and Janice speak to this process of “aging” with wisdom, humour and insight. I find myself relating and at the same time trying to make conscious and well thought out decisions about how to best walk through this life journey with a wee bit of grace and dignity. I’m truly grateful that my story, while containing a share of trauma and loss, has not included mental or physical limitations. I should probably add a small caveat here….there might be friends and family who would argue about mental limitations…LOL.
Michael Singer, author of The Untethered Soul and The Surrender Experiment faced life experiences that resulted in his becoming willing to simply say YES to whatever the universe presented. The unfolding results he details in his writing are astounding and seem to support my own approach of viewing moments as being “Perfectly on Time”.
A few of my own Whys
Why #1
The 1st, and 2nd quarters of this Crone’s story all contained a way of life that left a lot to be desired. Past “what ifs”, and future fears, didn’t leave a lot of room to step into many moments of joy and serendipity. Moving into the 3rd quarter presented what I now see as “Perfectly on Time” synchronicities. Synchronicities that led this writer to explore and embrace new options for walking through this life in a different way. In truth, the earth-school timeline looks pretty short upon entering the 4th quarter. So, with the recognition that we all have a kind of “shelf life” doesn’t it make sense to practice being in the moments and embrace being “Perfectly on Time”?
Why #2
With practice, IF this human-suited, earth-school traveller can consider that ALL experiences are just that…. experiences…. and then view them as opportunities instead of challenges or disasters, might an old idea/knee-jerk reaction be replaced with a new idea and a gentler response? Of course practice is exactly that - practice. Fair to say it all improves with willingness to take a pause which can then allow a certain level of gratitude to rise to the surface.
Why #3
IF this Crone / Wise Woman (in training) is gifted to make a connection with another soul who may be wondering why it feels as if their world is in chaos - and - is then able to offer encouragement and understanding through the use of the phrase - has a level of kindness and compassion been extended? Might lending a “listening ear” and a shoulder also be of benefit and “Perfectly on Time”?
Why #4
IF this little soul has actually made agreements to come and learn some “life lessons” would it be reasonable to try and “view” those lessons from a “Perfectly on Time” lens with the understanding that the lessons may have to be repeated more than once? This idea of soul agreements is not brand new to the writer but is becoming more and more ingrained as a way to “sometimes” find a level of understanding and peace of mind that might otherwise be missing when considering some of the current world dynamics.
Why #5
IF this earth-school journey is simply a “story” to be lived, perhaps in part related to unresolved karma, might new awakenings present a’ha moments that are “Perfectly on Time”? Moments like reflecting and seeing the perceptions that were at play through the quarters - like the following recall of my own?
1st quarter of 1 – 25. Anyone over 40 was OLD and couldn’t tell me anything
2nd quarter of 26 – 50. Anyone over 70 was OLDER and still couldn’t tell me anything
3rd quarter of 51 – 75. Oh, oh….how on earth did I hit that ½ century mark only to blink and wake up with entry into the 4th quarter!
4th quarter of 76 – 100. Finally!! Be yourself….LOL
One last note
A week or so ago Prue asked me a question about my use of the words human-suited and earth-school which was a “Perfectly on Time” exchange because it provided me with an opportunity to sit quietly and reflect on exactly what WAS I trying to convey. I decided to share my response back to Prue just in case anyone else out there is wondering!
“Oh dear….thanks so much for the questions Prue – I’m smiling over here as it strikes me that perhaps an entire post could be written…LOL. It never even crossed my mind to google the terms but they are both phrases that have crossed my path these past few years of exploration. Each, in its own way, resonates as a “fit” in relation to what this Crone might define as a “soul agreement or soul journey”. No intention to connect either expression to Buddhism. When I consider that other “realm or dimension” (across the veil in some circles) with a view to looking at our planet it seems like it IS an earth-school and perhaps I have agreed to come and experience a “human-suited” (as in a container/vessel) expedition with all of its glorious and sometimes not so glorious teeter-totter / roller coaster waves.”
I'm glad to see you writing here, Marilyn, and thanks so much for the shout-out. You're finding your voice and soon your audience will grow, and you'll be glad you did this!
As writers, the fear of being ourselves is a common barrier. You're wise to explore it out in the open, where other people within your realm can explore along with you.
The fun part will be in enjoying this journey together with the friends you've found along the way. Build it and they will come!
Love your photos Marilyn! And, as always, a timely and thoughtful post. xoxo