Life is all lessons…ignorance is not a destiny…
Is there anyone paying attention to time these days? Does every activity or result need to be rushed in order to keep up with the spirit of our current trend? It seems that time has lose its touch in our everyday struggles with life. Whatever we are occupied with, we seem to be in constant race with time—as if time serves no purpose other than making delays. In wanting to attain specific goals, much premium has been given on being able to accomplish such goals at the shortest time possible. Little did we know that time is an important element in arriving at a certain state of perfection where the result does not generate any conflicts.
Many do not realize that time serves as a catalyst in materializing the objects of our aspiration. As a metaphor, let me take the process of growing a seed. Our goals are like seeds; in itself, it will not flourish, our intervention is needed to make it grow. So what we do is to provide it with the necessary care it needs; once done our part has been fulfilled, we now need the intervention of time to do its work in allowing the seed to generate a life of its own. Tampering with the work of time will compromise the natural germination of the seed. Such is also the truth in dealing with the many endeavors in our lives. Every process in this world needs certain amount of time to achieve an ideal state; enforcing our own sense of time will only destroy this harmony.
In all important aspects of life, we have to consider the element of time, especially on certain situations where it is warranted. Let me site some of the important aspects in life where the intervention of time is a necessity.
Consider one aspiration most of us aspire—success. But what does it take to truly succeed? A lot have been written about the ways on how it can be achieved; various ideas, concepts and methods are suggested for its realization. However, few emphasized the requisite of time in the equation. Each of the methods we employ in working our way to success requires the intervention of time to maximize effectiveness. Such result will be an important determinant in deciding our next set of actions. Problem arises when our propensity for instant gratification prompts us to interfere with the process of time. Allowing such weakness on our part, we jeopardize the perfection we are looking for. Consequently, undesirable outcome emerges. This is the major reason most of us fail in our attempts to succeed. Success does not come overnight; it takes time.
Moving unto the area of relationships, much has been scarred because of our inability to trust the wisdom of time. Establishing intimacy and deeper connection with the people we care takes tremendous amount of time. Married couple requires time to let their differences be settled, thus strengthen their bond. Same is true in our relationship with our close friends, relatives and offspring. Knowing, understanding, accepting and adjusting are the key factors that bring harmony in our relationships with our loved ones; yet all of these factors cannot be attained without the tempering of time. Unfortunately, many fail on this account; many are not willing to sacrifice in the name of time.
What about the deeper questions in life? Did we allow time to shed its light on matters that are beyond our current comprehension? Let it be understood that some of the mysteries of life can only be answered by allowing the passage of time.
Forgiveness can have its chance with the passage of time
Wounds—physical and emotional—needs time to heal
Personal growth requires the test of time
Pain and suffering needs time to reveal its purpose
Hatred takes time to loose its potency
Wisdom takes time to work its way unto our hearts and minds.
Life requires a time to know its purpose.
Living in the period of quick fixes and immediate satisfaction, the function of time is seen as a disadvantage. If it cannot be avoided, we try everything to shorten its intervention: a grave mistake which will warrant a reciprocal undesirable consequence.
Time has its signature that we cannot imitate, even our own reason cannot equal the reason of time; therefore it is best that we put our trust and patience on it.
Now it’s time to pass the ball to you. Have you been impatient with time? Take your time and learn from your mistakes.
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I have always been a rushed type of person and find it really hard to slow down and enjoy the process. But with recently getting married and having our first child on the way – it has allows me to step back and consider what I will miss out on if I continue to treat time the way I currently do.
.-= Tom | Build That List´s last blog ..FREE EBOOK: The Membership Site Masterplan =-.
Having a family of your own is a great opportunity to understand the work of time. As you go on, you’ll discover the beauty of each moment. Congratulation for being a Dad.
Hi Walter,
Thought provoking post. Time has been called the new currency as it represents freedom and flexibility. Freedom and flexibility to tend to the exact things that you write of — relationships, learning purpose, finding fulfillment, etc.
I have been guilty of wanting to rush through a painful event before learning the lesson. Part of the lesson is to embrace each moment, to feel, to BE, and to accept what is out of our hands and in time’s grasp.
Have a great weekend,
Kim
We all have had our mistakes when we rush thing up. But the important thing is to learn from it. Otherwise we’ll continue to err.
Walter,
Thanks to you coming by my website, I found you. Very insightful on your part. How many of us have to have that instant gratification? How many of us don’t want to put the time in to learn the lessons to be learned. We are most always in too much of a hurry, we put deadlines on ourselves and usually for no reason…
The old adverb “Wake up and Smell the Coffee” seems to fit right here as if we were to do that, we would actually have more time. Maybe even more time to “stop and smell the roses”.
Well done, Walter, in letting us all know that we are our own enemies and that it is time to be in the moment and just enjoy.
Many Blessings,
Kathryn
Thank you for your kind words Kathryn. I believe that most of us have the propensity for instant gratification, and so we make mistakes. Some of us learn the hard way while others are wise enough to see their errors. Without acknowledging the process of time, we will miss many important caveats of life.
Nice article Walter. I think all of us are go through our lives trying to control time. From the moment we wake up to the moment we fall asleep, it’s evitable to use time to make sure everything goes as planned. It’s a tool that I think we need, but sometimes I think we let time control our lives.
For example, we might not have enough of it and find ourselves in a rush to finish a task, making us impatient. We might also worry about something in the past time that affects us now. I agree that if we’re patient with time and if we live life more consciously, eventually time will heal our wounds and we can live life more peacefully.
.-= Hulbert´s last blog ..Jay Leno and Nice =-.
It is an error to assume that we can tamper time. Events come and go according to its appropriate phase, we have no power to dictate the subtle work of time, it has wisdom of its own far beyond our understanding.
Giving time to time is a logical thing since to each its own.
But in this modern society of extreme trade where the point of life has been twisted into possesion and experience of material elements, time becomes shortened as more and more has to be fit in the same time frame, so we long for more of it, of more time.
Growing in the 60′s and 70′s, with less technologies and elements to trade, life was taken at a slower pace and there was time for the elements you mention, while nowadays even a teenager gets his hands full of tasks and elements to control, requiring more time to dispose of.
We now live in a noisy enviroment, where living is like walking in an open market; everybody scream and cry about their products, and we have to learn to walk through without getting distracted by every offer and temptation we hear about.
We have to learn to keep in mind the real purpose of being there and go for what we really need so we concentrate in what’s really important, and time will automatically become bigger and more of it in our hands.
Raul
.-= Alien Ghost´s last blog ..Communications =-.
I remember the early times of my life when I maximize each day by savoring every moment that passes by. Then, technology came along with its culture of speed. It’s no wonder more people are stressed these days, they can no longer enjoy the time to be still.
You are right, we have to realize what is important and allow ourselves time to acquire it.
Walter, you are like the Jedi Master of Zen
.-= Jonny´s last blog ..Why Do You Blog? =-.
Thanks Jonny, I like the sound of that.
This is interesting as I have been mulling over this very thing for some ‘time’. Patience is what I am learning let overtake my tasks thus allowing for the seed to grow.
Forgiveness is another big issue that most of us don’t allow for ourselves. To forgive ourselves and move forward as opposed to being frozen in guilt. Someone dear to me is having issues with this particular issue and it is my hope he finds relief in self-forgiveness soon. http://clarkcoleman.com
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Progress is Exhiliarating =-.
Guilt takes time to soften and from it the seed of forgiveness will germinate. Unless we don’t realize that guilt will be of no benefit to us, time will do its work to enlighten us.
Enlightening article, Walter! After all, it’s very true that good things take time. I wonder how much time it will take for people from around the world to unite and live peacefully.
.-= Pres´s last blog ..The 3 Globbleristic Spheres of Life =-.
Boy, I do hope it will take less time for people to realize that we are all connected. How foolish can humans be.
I really liked this article, Walter as it’s been constantly on my mind. We feel so rushed these days with so many distractions. We’re told to put more hours in at work in order to get ahead and that’s what makes us successful. It can be so tiring though! Maybe that’s why there is such a large number of people who have burn-out.
Just yesterday, I consciously made the choice to slow down and didn’t do anything that required me to rush or multi-task or so anything that I felt that I wasn’t giving it 100% of my attention. I certainly feel the difference between yesterday and today. Today, I realize how much I have to do this weekend and already feel pressured. I have to learn to slow down and take the time, as you suggest.
Thanks for the thought-provoking article.
Karen
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Friday’s Links =-.
You are never alone on being pressured with things to do. I too have been living a life of pressure, but then I realize that it is costing me my well-being. So I decided to make an assessment of what I’m trying to achieve. I found out that most of the things I rush are really not important at all; it has just become a habit to speed things up.
Such realization had made me change my ways in doing things. As much as possible, I try to be aware of the most important time of my life–NOW.
Hi Walter,
A very thought provoking post…as usual.
The issue of time is an interesting one. I think many people tend to be more focused on outcomes as opposed to the journey. Often wisdom comes from things that take place on the road to the outcome.
When I was miserable, I was extremely impatient. As a result, I never really enjoyed the journey. However, when I began to work on healing the misery, I began to see the virtue in patience.
We are all works in progress. Things come together at the right time and sometimes we need to experience things in order to get to where we want to be.
That is why focusing on the moment is vital. The journey will always matter more than the outcome. For how we do the journey truly will determine the outcome too.
Anything that comes fast, will go fast. Slow and steady always wins the race.
.-= Nadia – Happy Lotus´s last blog ..The Re-Invention Progress Report =-.
Thanks Nadia for sharing deep insights with regards to the importance of taking our time. As you have said, we are all work of progress. The more we endure and accept everything that life gives us, the more wisdom we learn. Unfortunately, some people try to dodge negative experiences by means of precarious activities that serves to numb them in experiencing what we need to experience.
It is said that time hold the answers to all our questions. In this respect, we should go with time to know the truth.
Hi Walter,
It is true. Good things take some time. Nowadays we hardly want to wait. Instant gratification is a big idea a lot of people (including me) deal with. We prefer to somehow get a plant rather than make a seed grow.
I agree with you that it is important to learn how to use time in our favor, and not only go against it in order to do everything faster. Good point!
.-= Isaac Ben´s last blog ..Should I quit my job – Part 4 =-.
Yeah, instant gratification is the trend of today, it goes with our advancements in life. Still, reality follows the rule of time. Tampering the work of time will always give us unsatisfactory results.
I definitely agree with this…especially with all the talk of ‘success’ out there because what is success? It’s such a subjective concept.
Here’s some food for thought….what if success could be available to us right now? Success might come as soon as the next breath…as soon as we come to the realization that we are already whole – we are already perfect.
.-= Nate´s last blog ..Gaining Glimpses of Wholeness =-.
Your food for thought has got me thinking Nate. Thanks for sharing with me something that I need to ponder.
Good message here. And a great reminder to allow time to do what it does best…heal.
Glad you have appreciated this Lu.
I enjoyed this post. With so much talk about how we are racing against time, how we don’t have time and so on – it’s important to remember that time really is our friend. It’s what we choose to do with our time that really matters, and we do have control over that.
.-= Ruth – Web Career Girl´s last blog ..Keep Yourself Accountable Each And Every Day =-.
I say Amen to that Ruth. Time is indeed our friend. I wish people would realize to take time slowly in order to see the important things in life. There are lots to learn if we could manage moments of stillness.
Hi Walter,
I’m glad you brought the notion of time up. Because so many folks spend their lives doing everything but what they want to do, they want to speed through it, to get away from the pain and boredom
When I labored in a cubicle, I used to look at the clock and wish the minutes of my life away just to get out of the cubicle!
The way to stop being “rushed” through your life is to say no to all these demands that get piled on us. If we have one life why rush through it?
Most time savers are not that at all, they are time robbers.
I walk every day. It helps me stay out of the rush to nowhere.
thx. Giulietta, Inspirational Rebel
.-= Giulietta the Muse´s last blog ..Stop Saving Your Life For Later! =-.
It’s funny how I also look at the clock from my cubicle, as well as the clock from my computer; darn, I’m still a slave of time! However, I do my best each day to remove time out of my mind and be engaged at what I’m doing.
I remember an experience a long time ago when I thought it’s my time. Many things flashed before my mind and I realize how I have wasted my time by rushing time. Now I know.
Walter – time is precious and a gift that we shouldn’t waste. I try to make the most of every second of this existence and this post has helped to remind me of that. Thank you for a great post.
Phil
.-= Phil – Less Ordinary Living´s last blog ..How to Start =-.
How unfortunate it is for some of us to recognize time only to find it’s too late. Let us always remember that time works for us and we have to utilize its every moment.
Walter,
I never used to know where my time was, past present or future. More recently I have become aware of the need to focus my attention on the present and enjoy the today. This has helped me to relax more and be more grateful.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Regards
Paul
The truth is, the only reality is the present moment. The past and the future is no more than the illusion of the time. Unfortunately, most of us live in the illusory worlds of our past and future, while the present time is sacrificed.
Great metaphor there Walter. I agree we are trying too much to alter the way things were supposed to be. I think becoming more productive is good up to a certain point. Once you try to force yourself to become even more productive you run out of energy.
You could basically think of the body as a bank account. You can only withdraw as much energy as you have deposited in it. So if you don’t get a lot of sleep and don’t eat enough than ultimately this will lead to a collapse of your body.
You do need to take time to reenergize your body. Take some time off. Take some vacation.
That’s definitely a good advice to share with everyone. Allowing ourselves time to recuperate–physically and emotionally–we are able to see and do things much better.
Oh ya, we are definitely pushing the envelope on time management now days. I tend to push it way to hard then it takes its revenge on me. I don’t like wasting it and would love to get more done with the time I have. I guess maybe I would get more out of it if I cultured it better. Thanks man.
.-= Jeff´s last blog ..The Value of You – Guest Post =-.
We all commit the same errors of forcing time to satisfy our whims. But in the end, we suffer the consequences of our tampering of time.
Not living in the now is the problem. Modern life has accelerated, with time-space compression and globalisation.
.-= e.lee´s last blog ..This Is Really Not A Love Song. =-.
Such an unfortunate consequence of progress. It is up to us to amend such situation.
The important things take time in life. Technology allows everything to move faster and faster, and we forget that some things will always need time and just can’t be done fast.
That’s very true Faizal. Time has its wisdom that we cannot tamper, no matter how much advance we become.
[...] but this week I have a bonus since I just had to include Walter from Lion Slinger and his article A Lesson About Time. Walter is always thought-provoking and he doesn’t disappoint this time. Check out his [...]
time management is very necessary
but unfortunately I’m not so smart in this one
.-= Imonli´s last blog ..How to Increase Credit Card Limit =-.
Everything can be learned Imonli. You just have to allow yourself.
I refuse to live in rush. Slow life gives me so much more time.
.-= zmajeva´s last blog ..Syndrome “I HAVE NO TIME” =-.
Living in rush can cause boredom and anxiety. You are wise to take life slowly.
Hi Walter!
First of all, thanks for stopping by at my blog and commenting. Talking about time here, I appreciate you making it and visiting my site.
This is a great article and you put it in such a conscientious way about how we do not allow ourselves to let time improve us.
Thanks for this and I will be sure to come back again.
Take care.
Dev
.-= Dev Maritz´s last blog ..Consistent Action- The Key To Working From Home =-.
Hey Dev, thanks a lot. As I’ve said, time has wisdom we should all respect.
Wow, Walter. This is a POWERFUL post!
“Time has its signature that we cannot imitate…” I just love that!
We often tend to see time as the enemy and you offer such wise perceptions that show it as our friend.
It is like the planting of seeds that over time are cultivated so that something beautiful can blossom in our lives.
It is good! I will be thinking of this for some time.
Thank you so much.
Lauren
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Controlling Others: Not A Strategy That Makes For The Best Relationships Ever =-.
Thank you so much Lauren. Indeed time has a valuable lesson if we allow it to do its work. As the old saying goes: Time holds the answer to everything.