IT'S ABOUT TIME!

It’s how we say something (or someone!) is overdue. Late. Tardy. And yes, it is about “time.” An allotted amount of it has passed. “Time’s up!” we say, which means, of course, that the clock’s run out. But ran out where? For what? Milk? Bread? Take out? When time runs out “Where does the time go?” 

Cliches are words, phrases or even whole concepts that, like “It’s about time!” are reduced to codes that convey entire paradigms--including their accompanying innuendo and emotion (and baggage?) They’re shorthand we use to save time. (Ha! Another one: “save time.”) We say that one “all the time.” (Another!) But we seldom go back and question their underlying premises or ramifications.

For instance, have you or anyone you’ve ever met been able to actually “save” time? No. “Time marches on.” Besides, look around. The “times are changing.” Really? And who's to say, “It’s time for a change.” A bit of a “time bomb” if you ask me. Wait! What, exactly, is a time “bomb?” And where do I “find time” to locate one. And where, by the way, does “Father Time” actually live? Is he, by chance, “Doing time?” Or, maybe he’s “marking time,” “passing time,” or just “biding his time.” Or, they say that “time flies,” so maybe he took a trip. Went somewhere and needs more “travel time” to get back home. If so, does anyone know his “ETA?” Well, hopefully he doesn’t “run out of time.” After all, “time waits for no one.” 

And what about, “Time is money?” Now that’s a “time honored” philosophy. Smart, yes. But is it wise? And have you looked in a mirror lately? Yes, we all have to deal with “the ravages of time” so we might as well work more “overtime” lest we fall “behind the times.” Alright already! STOP! “I don’t have time for this!” Besides, “Now’s not a good time.” And look, “I've lost all track of time.” (What is a time track, anyway? Is that what you do “time travel” on?) Anyway, we need to move on. “Time’s a wastin!” and we wouldn’t want “time to get away from us.” 

But seriously, having so many cliches (so much code) around this one little 4-letter word reveals that--in all its meanings, nuances and applications--the concept of time holds a place of incredibly high value in our lives. But let’s take a “time out” from TIME here. Why? To go read the magazine? No. Because “in the meantime” it’s also valuable for us to “take time” to separate ourselves from this single word’s vast narrative so we don’t get caught in its myopic web--lest we become literally and truly “time bound.” Hmm.

In the midst of this lifelong immersion experience--while we’re out there looking for a “good time” and maybe even “the time of our lives”--we do well to remember there is also the non-physical, spiritual, soul-full dimension of our existence--of our day--of this very moment. One thing even our many and varied religions, theologies and philosophies almost agree upon: We human beings are both “timely (temporal) AND timeless (eternal).”

“Does anyone really know what time it is anyway?”

TODAY.

LET’S GIVE THE WORLD & OURSELVES A GIFT.

LET’S “MAKE TIME” TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE THINK.