Remember when we were children and time moved so slowly? It seemed like Christmas would never arrive. Then, after the holidays, there was the long wait for summer. Even the weekend freedom of Friday seemed far away when viewed from Monday morning. Now there aren’t enough hours in my days to get everything done. One minute it’s New Year’s Day, and the next minute it’s Christmas. I constantly find myself wondering what happened to all those days and months I missed.
I’ve thought about this quite a bit. For years I thought it had to do with getting older, and to a certain extent that is true. However I used to hear my grandparents and their friends complain about retirement and not having anything to do without full-time employment. Then I heard my parents say they were busier in retirement than when they were working. Now my retired friends take cruises not to fill the time void, but to escape the chaos and demands of daily living.
Children don’t seem to have much free time, either. They go from a full day of school to numerous activities to keep them occupied while their parents work. Weekends are filled with sports and rehearsals and performances. Then there are copious amounts of homework to be completed between bouts of texting and social networking. Summers are filled with camps, classes, workshops, and other activities designed to keep children of working parents busy and safe.
When I asked a friend whatever happened to lying on the ground while gazing up at the clouds and letting our minds wonder, she replied that she still manages to take yoga class once a week between work and preparing dinner on days when her mother can pick the children up from after school activities. Did I miss something in the comparison here? I remember a bumper sticker from the 70s that said: “Life is short. Then you die.” It makes me wonder what all the rushing is about. Maybe it’s time to slow down and just BE without having to schedule a yoga class or a cruise six months in advance.
How fast is time moving for you?
When was the last time you were able to slow down without advance scheduling?
Have you suffered from the pace you and your loved ones are trying to keep?
What will you do differently this week?
About David Bentley
David Bentley, M.Ed., is an avid observer of people, places and events. He uses his storytelling and questioning skills to help himself and others think outside the box in an ever-changing world.
Comments about his column can be sent to davidbentley@sanjuanislander.com
© 2013 David Bentley
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