Living by the Clock

I got to spend the weekend camped out by the Guadalupe River. Our camp was surrounded by tons of trees and gorgeous hills that could almost pass for Texas mountains. It was hot, but we had shade and the occasional breeze, not to mention the river was freezing! The first night I slept in the tent unzipped to allow the breeze to come in. The second night, I had to sleep outside. Had to in the sense that it would be crazy of me not to-- I fell asleep to bright stars and a full moon and woke up to a beautiful sunrise. And all I needed to enjoy that beauty was the grass to lay on.
This weekend also taught me a lot of things. My friends and I were all in the same campsite, however I don't think many of them got to experience what I did. The lifestyle that I witnessed I'll call "Living by the clock." The question asked more than any was "What time is it?" And my answer everytime... "Why does it matter?"
Many of us are obsessed with knowing time and we don't realize it because we live by a clock in our everyday lives. The clock controls our plans throughout the day. Vacations, like the one to the Guadalupe, are a time given to us to take a vacation from the clock. We could of gone the entire weekend without knowing what time it was... but we didn't. The result: nothing except for a more organized planned day. Boring!
Although it's a challenge for many to take time out from living the same way we do when we're in the comfort of our homes, it's worth trying. I measured time by the horizon. I slept with a sleeping bag and a sheet on grass under beautiful skies. Think of the opportunities you'll have before you get there.... think about the things that may limit you from experiencing everything that you're meant to experience there. Take a risk, keep the clock home.