Top Ten Things To Do 
When You Have 
A Spare 15 Minutes 

By Marla Platt

What do you usually do when you are 'between things' and have a few extra, unstructured minutes at your disposal? Whether you are between flights, appointments, activities or are simply 'hanging out,' incorporating any of the following will turn your spare moments into quality moments.

1. Unclutter Your Surroundings

Start (but don't necessarily expect to finish) cleaning out or organizing a drawer, desktop or closet. The act of uncluttering will make you feel lighter and give you a sense of greater control because you decide what you need to keep around you. By taking a few minutes to neaten up and clear out, you are doing yourself - and the others who share your environment - a huge favor. Who knows, maybe you will inspire someone else around you to do the same.

2. Pick Up A Book Or Magazine That You Have Had On Your 'To Read' List

Although you spent time and money to purchase or subscribe to the above, you may have lost the urgency to incorporate it into your knowledge base. Maybe you have books or manuals that were distributed at the office, but you never found time to peruse them before. Keep a reading stack at your disposal or bring along a few items in your briefcase or carry-bag.

3. Stretch - Stretch - S-t-r-e-t-c-h

Gently stretch and breathe in and out slowly. You will be delighted at how refreshed and energized you will feel. Stretching should not be vigorous; in fact, it should be slow and easy. Don't forget to incorporate light stretching if you have been seated in a car for a long period of time or confined to your seat on a plane. Even if you just stretch your upper body, you will still get the blood flowing!

4. Water And Inspect Your Plants

When at all possible, keep beautiful, living things in your home and/or work environment. Care for them, however briefly, and they will reward you. Don't have any plants? Bring some into your life according to time and conditions available to attend to them. Any local plant shop would be happy to help you.

5. Enhance Your Vocabulary

Pull out a dictionary or thesaurus. There may be words you have read or heard others use, but perhaps you have been unsure of the meaning of those words. Do you find yourself using the same lexicon over and over to express yourself? Flip through and see what new and interesting phraseology you may pick up. Commit those words to memory and aim to use them that very day. Your vocabulary is one of your greatest assets.

6. Take A Good Look At Your Car, Inside And Out

For many our car is our home-away-from-home. Make sure it is well cared for between inspections and oil changes check your tires for wear and for proper inflation; check body for dings and beginnings of rust; make sure wiper blades are in good repair; check fluid levels, especially before embarking on a long road trip. Don't forget to stock necessities such as maps, tool kit, first aid kit, etc.

7. Drink Or Eat Something To Support Good Health

A good move, especially if this is not your usual pattern. Remember the recommendation of drinking eight to ten glasses of water a day? A glass of fresh water (preferably filtered or bottled) will refresh and cleanse you. The same goes for a piece of fresh fruit or some crunchy vegetables. Your body, and its resident soul, will thank you!

8. Sustain Personal Connections

Call a friend, family member to say hello. Communicate at the beginning of the conversation that you only have a short time to talk. Sending an e-mail or a written note is even more efficient and will allow you even more control in keeping to your time boundary. Are you spending your spare minutes together with someone who is close to you? Give them a hug, tell them you love them, SMILE! Letting someone know they are important to you is a pick-me-up for two.

9. Engage In A Personal Brainstorming Session

Step off your same old mental track and get those brain cells moving to a different tune! Stretch your mental muscle and conjure up ideas of how to do things in a different way. Ask yourself 'what if' questions and be amazed at the answers - and the possibilities. Be outlandish, if you dare!

10. Thoughtfully Stop And Appreciate The Good Things In Your Life

Allow yourself to feel lucky - for the most part, you truly are. Feel the abundance of all you have, no matter how much more you normally find yourself wishing for. Get in the habit of letting yourself feel fortunate for all the good that has come your way - and don't dwell on the less desirable things that have wafted through. Every apple tree, no matter how vital and fruitful, will have some blighted apples in its time. Cultivating your positive awareness will prepare you to recognize the gifts that are bound to come your way!