June 2, 2019: Time Traveler
Time is a brisk wind, for each hour it brings something new… but who can understand and measure its sharp breath, its mystery and its design? Paracelsus
Time: elusive, precious, frustrating, swift, slow, unforgiving, infinite, concrete, a gift….There are so many ways to view it. Over the years, I’ve personally struggled with “time management”. I’ve vacillated between a determination to treasure each day to unrealistic expectations in how much I can cram into into an hour
Every time I seem to find a balance, the world will tilt and I’m once again on the seesaw of either carving out meaningful moments or the challenge of trying to do too much.
“The timeless in you is aware of life’s timelessness. And knows that yesterday is but today’s memory and tomorrow is today’s dream.”
― Khalil Gibran, The Prophet
Yesterday, I headed outdoors with my two granddaughters for a nature walk. We were looking for birds and Spring wildflowers. I had my camera with me and every time we’d find one, the two girls would delightedly point out its location. We’d look at it carefully, smell it, and I would photograph it. This walk together was a gift of time. A treasure trove of Starflowers, Canada Mays and Lady Slippers were highlights.
How often have we lost sight of the present, in our circuitous mind loops with its anxieties, plans and worries about the future?
During this meander, my wise, ten-year-old Maya, shared a story about a friend of hers. She described her as someone who was never happy with what she was doing when they played together. Maya told me that In the middle of an activity, her friend would continually be talking about what they could do next. She finished her story with the comment,“You know Nonny, she’s never happy with what we’re doing now. She always has to look ahead. She doesn’t know how to enjoy the now””
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” —Mother Theresa
Maya’s story inspired a search for quotes on time
in which I found a plethora, with a range of topics which supported my own quest as time traveler from the practical aspects of time management to the philosophical. Some of my favorites spans the written history of mankind.
Time Management:
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
― Mother Theresa
“Until you value yourself, you won’t value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.” ― M. Scott Peck,
One who daily puts the finishing touches on his life is never in want of time.-Seneca
This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life.
Charles Darwin
Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.
Benjamin Franklin
“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.” ― Lao Tzu
It’s how we spend our time here and now, that really matters. If you are fed up with the way you have come to interact with time, change it. Marcia Wieder
Realize that now, in this moment of time, you are creating. You are creating your next moment. That is what’s real.
Sara Paddison
And for someone like me who tends to “do too much”:
One cannot manage too many affairs: like pumpkins in the water, one pops up while you try to hold down the other.
Chinese Proverb
How We Choose to Spend our time.
“There comes a time when the world gets quiet and the only thing left is your own heart. So you’d better learn the sound of it. Otherwise you’ll never understand what it’s saying.” Sarah Dessen, Just Listen
We live in deeds, not years, in thoughts, not breaths, in feelings, not in figures on the dial. Philip James Bailey, Festus
One quote in particular resonated a reminder and reflection of just how our precious this gift of our life is.
“It’s worth making time to find the things that really stir your soul. That’s what makes you really feel alive. You have to say ‘no’ to other things you’re used to, and do it with all your heart.” ― Roy T. Bennett
Spending time with ones I love exploring nature, really does stir my soul.
Do you have a favorite quote on time? Or a way to spend time that fills your soul? We’d love if if you would share it.