Dear World,
Define the noun, time
time
noun
the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.
We’ve heard the proverbs and sayings about time – it waits on no man and that it’s longer than rope. Our existence is timed while we’re awake and while we sleep. Time is, perhaps, one of the few concepts in life that is constant and consistent. You know, we are sure to experience it in our coming and going – all day and all night.
That aside, the categorisation of time plays an integral part of our lives, and it often impacts our decisions, actions, and thoughts. If you say otherwise, you’re a liar.
For me, I think about the past, present, and future all the time. As an overthinker and someone with a lot of afterthought and introspection, I disect many aspects of past situations and dwell on my ‘how’ of handling them, at times wishing I could go back in time to do things differently.
As far as being with people who are gone from the current reality- if I loved them and they held a sweet spot in my heart, I think of them and wish I’d have them here and now. But, I know that life doesn’t work that way – not until I can crack the code of time travel for the purpose of the past, anyway.
When it comes to the future – which free-thinking, able, and capable human doesn’t think about it? The very essence of us planning ahead suggests that we’re considering the future. Don’t forget that the future isn’t just for those five-year and 10-year trajectory plans of our personal and professional lives.
If you say, “when I grow up”, “when I achieve…”, “when I buy…”, “when I go…”, those are future considerations. If you think of what you’ll get for breakfast, lunch, or dinner today, those are also future considetsations. So, even if you say you’re not looking far ahead, in some ways, you are.
As for me, I think of the future just as often as I do for the past. Where will I be emotionally, spiritually, mentally, financially, and physically in the future pretty much tops it. I wonder if I’ll find my life-long partner. Will I have children? Will I be able to fulfil my dreams and aspirations? Will I be healthy? The whole nine yards.
I know and understand all too well that though the concept of time moves according to how we perceive life, it still moves. Think of ‘Caribbean time’ or ‘Black people time’. Why are we always late is beyond me!
I also know that we can think and plan our strategies as much as we want, but nothing is guaranteed 5 minutes from now, much-less days, weeks, months, or years down the line.
Lesson
It almost feels like a waste, right? A waste of resources, energy, and a waste of time – because, why look forward to and plan the heck out of life if the chance exists that nothing will take shape as we envision and hope for?
The answer, for me, is simple. Preparation. We ought to prepare should all these things actually happen and we should be prepared in the event that they don’t. The life we live is full of unknowns, and it’s unpredictable, but planning ahead while being guided by the past is how we attempt to exist.
Is there a lesson here? I’m not sure.
What I can say is that we should look at the past, present, and the future with caution. However, we should not fear them. We also shouldn’t be against preparation – for the worst and also for the best.
Lastly, all those proverbs you know about time are true. Take heed.
I’ll end with lyrics from one of my favourite old school reggae songs, Time by Benjy Myaz.
Leave it to time
Time. Time alone can do anything.
Time. Time will move any mountain
Time. Time will make you realise someone’s in love with you
Benjy Myaz
Though it’s a love song, those words could be applied to many aspects of our lives and how we manoeuvre it.
Anyway, how you and time stay?
Signed in pensive thought,
The Suburban Girl JA
The Suburban Girl JA® 