“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.”
~Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace
Time is an interesting phenomenon. We do not necessarily stop to think that different cultures view time differently. For example, some cultures perceive time as a circle. That seems to give much more room to consider time being a vortex where one can plan ahead almost infinitely.
In western cultures, time is typically a linear line. I believe this thinking drives people to worry about lost time, gaining up on time, and in general, time becomes a commodity.
When one faces a tragedy, the whole world literally stands still. You move, but everything seems to happen in slow motion. Nevertheless, some people recover to being as they were. In fact, they aspire to be the same as they were.
Others begin to view the concept of time differently. It’s no longer essential. Another view steps in. Soul over matter. The realization that we are much greater than the minutes that seem to define us.
Why is this important? If you are leading people across different cultures and circumstances – you need to understand that their perception of time is also different. It is not wrong, just different. However, it needs to be taken into account when setting expectations.
I constantly feel this tug of different worlds because I had to step into the circular time. It was the only way to be lenient enough for myself. And the only way to let intuition and authenticity lead the way. Instead of defining what and when I needed to be, I set a wish of what I wanted to learn. Eventually, the steps appeared when I kept my mind open.
Learn to trust that time is on your side.
Above is my photograph from the time well spent. Wandering my favorite trails in the national park by the sunset.
Stay safe everyone!
Thank you, Maria, for capturing the beauty of tranquility and peace of nature, the Time for meditation, introspection and appreciation of Time in our NOW.. for none of us knows the quantum of Time entrusted to us.
I have walked many a path on quite a few lakes and forests especially in Autumn and it is quite impossible to fathom the message in the explosion of autumn colors. Awesome.