Fall Back! It’s Time for Change!

We know summer is officially over when Daylight Saving Time comes. You’re welcome, Friends. I’m giving you a little ARK (Act of Random of Kindness). I’m reminding you to turn your clocks back one hour before you go to bed tonight. Whoohoo! An extra hour of sleep is ahead!

Daylight Savings Time ends tomorrow morning, Sunday, at 2 a.m.! You’re welcome!

This is my favorite time change – the one that “falls back” and we get an extra hour of sleep – unlike the Spring time change when it advances an hour and we lose an hour of sleep. We adults can get this and adapt quite readily.

But, oh my goodness, I remember my children and my grands when those time changes came. It was a work-out to get them on the new schedule. They didn’t understand they could get an extra hour of sleep in the Fall. But, these days, wise parents have learned to trick the time clock.

They start regulating their children’s schedule way before tonight. They gradually move bedtime and morning wake up time and nap times earlier by 10-15 minutes. By the time Sunday comes, those kiddos’ schedules are already tracking the new time.

I love that. Adapting to change. being forward thinking. What can I do to make what I know is coming…..an easier, calmer, less-stressful outcome? First of all, I can ACCEPT that changes are inevitable. Like this Daylight Saving Time change – it’s going to happen whether we want it to or not — well at least for now! I saw CHANGE may be on its way with Daylight Saving Time.

On March 15th, 2022, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent starting November, 2023, ending the twice-annual changing of clocks in a move promoted by supporters advocating brighter afternoons and more economic activity.

The Senate approved the measure, called the Sunshine Protection Act, unanimously by voice vote. The House of Representatives, which has held a committee hearing on the matter, must still pass the bill before it can go to President Joe Biden to sign.

The White House has not said if President Biden supports it. A spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declined to say if she supports the measure but said she was reviewing it closely.

So, hang tight. If, it passes, this may be our last “Fall back” on November’s time change.

Benjamin Franklin got the time change “party” started when he proposed rising an hour earlier in order to conserve candles, but it didn’t take root until World War II when President Franklin D. Roosevelt started what he called “War Time” in an effort to save resources. Thanks, Ben and President Roosevelt!”

Being willing to embrace change whatever that change may be has many rewards. I accepted change when I left Oklahoma after 40 years and now I’ve been back home to Texas, first Frisco for four years and now Austin for nearly two years. And what came with that change was a host of new friends, new adventures and new opportunities.

I’m only three hours from my daughter and family and I’m enjoying this season with my son and family here in Austin. After serving for two weeks, yesterday was my last Early Voting work day. Then next Tuesday I’ll be serving on the official Mid-Term Election Day. I’m thankful that I’ve adapted to so many changes in my life.

Change in our lives is inevitable. We can hold change like the tight reins of a horse and resist it and refuse to submit to change, or we can shed that old stuck-in-the-mud thinking of “I’ve ALWAYS done it this way, and I’ll never change” or embrace change and grow and learn and adapt and be ALL God destined us to be.

Maybe it’s time to rethink that new hairstyle, that better job, that computer course to up your game, that move to a new city, that circle of friends, that opportunity to serve and bless others, and get rid of that same-oh-same-oh attitude of gloom, doom, and despair. Just maybe it’s time to get a new lease on life by being willing to CHANGE!

Psalm 25:1-2 “O LORD, I give my life to You. I trust in You, my God!”