The Times They Are a Changing

Last night, before we retired for the evening, many of us moved the hands of time ahead one hour.  We are now in the time identified as Daylight Savings Time.  Our ability to change time prompts a few questions for me, some mundane and some a bit more philosophical.  But, to stay grounded I will refrain, for this post, from discussing the abstract philosophical notions of time.  Rather, I would like to reflect on this day in two specific ways, namely, how do we take advantage of our "extra hour" of daylight, and, what does time mean in our own lives.

I am certain many of us have had life experiences for which we have wished we could either turn back time or move time forward to change particular life events.  There are times that we wish we could have back to cherish again, to say something different, do something different, or to have never had happen in the first place.  But, irregardless of our ability to change clocks, we do not yet have the ability to go back in time.  Hence our personal feelings of resentment, disappointment, anger, sorrow, etc.  But, all is not lost.  Even though we cannot go back in time to change the event, we still have the ability to change our current feelings about the event (click here for a previous post of mine on the topic).  In our reflection about past events, what can we learn from them?  What steps can we take to avoid a future repeat?  Do we have the opportunity to "make peace" with those from our past?  If so, what is stopping us?  We aren't able to change the initial event, but we can change the present moment.  How do I take advantage of the time I now have?

So, what do I do with the extra time I have now been given?  Do I use it wisely?  Here are some of my thoughts for what we can do with our new time:

• Sleep.  Rest is vital for a healthy mind, soul and body.
• Spend the hour in reflection on your past and what you plan to do with your future.  Use the time for reflective journaling.
• Write to a friend or family member whom you have not recently contacted.
• Pray; read scripture.
• Do something you typically don't have time to do.  Take a walk, observe nature, read a book.
• Spend quality time with family.

...continue the conversation...

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