Rushing Through Time

I’ve posted previously about the dramatic effect mindful meditation is having on my perception of time’s passage. I concluded that the rapid rate at which the days, weeks and years seem to pass is largely due to inattention to the present. This theme continues to grow in my daily life, and it continues to reveal the many ways in which I mentally manage time.

How often in the past have I willed time to pass quickly, in anticipation of - and preference for - some desired future event! How often have I completely ignored the potential of Monday and Tuesday, simply because I was focused on Friday and the impending weekend! How often have I said, “I can’t wait until...” - not only ignoring, but truly willing into the past all the intervening time! It’s no wonder that time’s passage seems lightning fast under these conditions, since I’ve often discounted large quantities of it.

Now, there is nothing wrong with looking forward to a future event - a vacation, a birthday, the next day off - but I’m increasingly aware that there is a cost to focusing on the future, at the expense of the Here and Now. Like all things in life, balance is key. Anticipate good things ahead, but not at the expense of a deep appreciation for the present moment. Modulating my focus on the present, directly modulates time’s passage overall. A neat trick!