Have a Mini-Concert

Classical music is not something everyone enjoys, but many of us do. Strangely enough, even if we enjoy it, we don't always listen to it. The same goes for jazz. I, for one, love jazz, but I rarely put it on. Why is that?
For me, classical music and jazz are so much better live than on a recording. But when do I have the opportunity to hear either? Not very often.
So, I have no choice but to settle for the recording.

Choose a piece of classical music (or any kind of music, for that matter) that you find inspiring. Find a place where you can relax and be undisturbed for the time it takes you to listen to this composition. You may want to be alone, or you could share the mini-concert with your friends and family. 

Lean/sit back and focus on the tones. Let your mind follow the beats and tones of the music. Give it your full, undivided attention, just as you would if you were sitting in a concert hall looking at the orchestra.
Imagine the music is literally going through you and carrying you. I find this is such a powerful image that it can make me laugh or cry depending on the melody and rhythm.

I've included below a video of one of my favorite pieces of all time: The Adagio of the Concierto De Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo.

I do urge you to not let yourself get distracted by what you see, but to focus on what you hear. Our eyes are busy enough during the day. They deserve a break!

What's your favorite piece of music? Do you enjoy listening to classical music or prefer popular music?

Always Call First

Picture by David Baron

Since the invention of the telephone, and later on the mobile epidemic, there's really no excuse for arriving anywhere unannounced. That doesn't mean you can't be spontaneous, it's just common courtesy.

I like when my friends call me to let me know they're coming over. I don't want the doorbell ringing when I'm in the middle of a shower, or, worse, an intense writing session.

But it's not just the polite thing to do, it also saves time.

When you go to a restaurant, do you usually make a reservation? I do it for most of the restaurants I go to, even if it's only half an hour before we arrive. I call to make sure there are seats available, and to give the people time to get our table ready.
When we then arrive, they just have to lead us up to our table. It's so much nicer than waiting around for half an hour until the other customers are hastily chased through their last cup of coffee. I've worked in a restaurant before, that is how it goes!

When it comes to visiting a friend, announcing your visit can give your friend time to get some stuff ready. I make sure to have some space cleared, for example, or to get some drinks and snacks ready. It's not a big deal, but it does make the welcome seem more ... well ... welcoming.

 So, in short, pick up that phone, and spend the couple of minutes it takes to make a reservation or announce you'll be stopping by. You'll be saving yourself some time and your hosts some inconvenience. If that isn't a win-win, I don't know what is!

Triple Inspiration in a Single Minute

Triple Inspiration in a Single Minute is a new series here on Minutes Worth Hours. Every Sunday, I will give you three quotes to inspire the rest of your week. They could be something to keep in mind, write in your diary, or post on your facebook status update. Whatever you do with them, I hope these sayings will inspire you as much as they have me.

You can find the whole series here.

Get productive!

"If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it." 
(Olin Miller)

Get happy!

"No man is happy who does not think himself so."
( Publilius Syrus)

Get inspired!

 "We must become the change we want to see in the world."
(Gandhi)

Save Time by Doing Double

Hubby's Colorful Cooking

One of the things that takes up a certain amount of time during our day, no matter how much we try to streamline it and make it faster, is cooking.  With cooking, it's mostly the preparations that take up a lot of time, and the time it takes for foods to become tender, especially vegetables.

So I've gotten into the habit of cooking double portions when it's possible. We just put the food in the fridge for the next day, or the day after that, but you could also freeze it.

Cooking double portions of food is as easy as cooking single portions. You just double up on the ingredients, if you normally don't have leftovers. Also make sure your pot is big enough to hold twice the amount of food.

There is, however, one bit of advice which I think is paramount:
When you've finished cooking, remove the second portion BEFORE you start eating!

If you live with a husband like mine, who is a bottomless pit in which all food magically disappears without ever showing up in increased waist-lines, this is of vital importance. My hubby will keep eating, no matter how much food there is!

Naturally, freezing portions for later days, or parts of the meal (like sauces) is also a good way to save time. Making apple sauce for one afternoon can give you a whole set of jars for months to come!

The extra preparation time it takes to cook two portions instead of one, is quite small for most dishes. Unless there's a lot of dicing involved, the difference will be a matter of minutes!

Take the Stairs

(source)

I remember when a certain friend's ex-boyfriend told me that the best way to achieve a nice bum, was to walk up the stairs taking two steps at a time. I don't think I'll ever quite forget that.
Taking the stairs is now almost an act of nostalgia. Taken a look at a hospital stairwell lately? It's probably the quietest place you can find.
But stairs have value! Today I'm preaching the return to walking stairs instead of taking the elevator.

Taking the stairs doesn't take you as long as you think. I only have to walk up to the 6th floor, but still find myself taking the elevator more often than not. There's always an excuse: "I have too much stuff", "I'm tired", "it's too hot", "it's too cold", and so on. Today, however, I'm re-committing myself to taking the stairs. And here's why:

1.  Exercise. It's always great to get a couple of minutes extra exercise in. If you haven't walked up any stairs lately, you'll feel this one instantly!
   
2. Avoid smells. I know you're thinking body odor now, but our elevator has contained a whole range of smells that I got me holding my breath!
   
3. No aimless waiting around. I've waited around for longer than it takes me to walk up to our floor. Multiple times! What a waste!
   
4. Environment. You're not using any energy except your own when you walk up the stairs. Totally green!
   
5. Less risky. Just imagine the elevator getting stuck. It's happened before. We've all seen the movies/tv shows. Now, does it still seem like taking the elevator saves you time? Right! I didn't think so!

So what about you? Are you a stair-walker or an elevator-rider? Or do you try to live your life on the ground floor at all times due to a paralyzing fear of heights?

P.S. It is now possible to rate posts below! Feel free to 5-star me, or shatter my heart. Whichever you choose. Really! No pressure!