When Aphrodite complains about Alexandros’s housekeeping, he responds, “I haven’t the time to maintain it.” She replies, “We make time for the things we truly want, don’t we?” (p. 65) Do you agree with her?
I think she was teasing him and not so much trying to make a point. It’s noted in that quote that she replied, “admonishing him in her playful way.” I think she was trying to get him to see perspective and not get so taken over by just one thing.
I agree with Aphrodite in theory, but in reality that’s just not always true. Life gets in the way all the time and we can’t always choose things we want over responsibilities. It would be great though!
I am in total agreement with Aphrodite. Looking at the big picture, why are we here if not to make time for things we truly want. We can try to do little things to help us reach our goals. But, I do believe you really have to want it, and I don’t think Alexandros cared, or wanted a clean house. His art was more important.
Emily makes a good point.. she may have been teasing, trying to get him to pay attention to his surroundings.
I do agree with Aphrodite’s statement. I see that in my own life. I had cleaning so it’s the last thing I do. I love reading so it’s the first thing I do. 
Well, sometimes I think we make time for what we think OTHER people think are important and we totally ignore what we truly know in our hearts are important. Alexandros’s housekeeping isn’t important but he feels the need to apologize To Aphrodite and I think she’s pointing out to him, that ignoring that is okay, because we should focus on what is important to us and not always what makes others comfortable.
I agree with Aphrodite in some degree as we do have to make priorities to get some things done but I also understand when passion for a project can take over those priorities. An artist creates with passion and passion can easily take over your time and desire to complete mundane chores or responsibilities.
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I do. We can always find the time to make the things that matter to us happen. It’s the obligatory and mundane that fall in the cracks unless we dedicate ourselves to doing them. Housekeeping is a chore. It is not a passion (for more people). We do it out of duty and squeeze it in between the things we care about. It’s only when we see it as caring for ourselves and our family that we find motivation to do it. Or maybe that’s just me. 
Helen’s point is excellent. I also agree with other readers that we make time for what’s really important but let unimportant things lapse—I also hate housecleaning so my house is a disaster but spend lots of time reading. At the same time, many people change priorities because it’s what others expect. This discussion could go on for some time, and I think it also has something to do with our individual selves, i.e., what if we have no passion, or so many that we get overwhelmed. But I digress. Still, important issue.
Good point; and welcome to the discussions!
I mostly agree with her. If something is important to me, I will try to find time for it when I can. But I also think life can get in the way, and the things that are important to me, go further down the list. For example, the phone rings or I get emails or texts, they can also be listed as “urgent” as it is happening right then and needs a response. But is that really important? Generally, not. But I still answer that phone or text, interrupting what I want to do. Add in the responsibilities from others that land on our plate and getting to what I want to do goes further down the list. Ah life, but then I remember how fortunate I am to have family and friends.