If Only We Had a Time Turner

Time. We have so many ways to describe it and yet without our placed value into it, time would cease to exist. At some point in our history we all agreed to a specified time. During the more primitive times we focused on using the sun and moon as our way of determining the passage of time. When we grew to be more advanced, we created sundials then watches and clocks. Now we have our electronic devices to tell us the time that it currently is and the time we have until our next deadline.

It seems that time is a common element mentioned in much of my reading. You must take time and care to prepare tinctures, adjust dosage of a particular nutrient or medicinal herb. Ultimately though it refers to time as something that requires patience, more than a deadline or set standard we must meet. 

In this I began to reflect on what the construct of time actually is, which then led me to recall George Carlin and his insights on time. Time is what we have defined it as and what we have made it, so much so that we do not have the time at all to stop and enjoy time. More importantly we do not spare patience for ourselves and time.

Myself. I have found that I do not give myself patience and time to do what I need to do. I've placed stress upon me to such a degree that I need to get it done, whatever it may be, but I must do it now. Even though it does not need to be done now. What I've noticed in myself and the working community at large is that we seem to be driven by deadlines and meeting on time. We no longer have the opportunity to listen to our body's inner clock to take care of ourselves. We don't eat when we're hungry. We eat when we have the opportunity. Whether it was before our stomach was growling, right when we got the signal from our body we are hungry, or long after when we've waited so long our body no longer feels hungry. And that is only one example of how we have confined ourselves to a specific time.

I'm not saying we need to eliminate deadlines and schedules. Sometimes deadlines and schedules work to our advantage and well being. What I really want to reflect on more is whether I/we, if you are in a similar place as me, should we be holding ourselves to such a time constraint that we are exhausted, stressed, anxious, and effecting our own well being? Are we being patient with ourselves, so that we aren't driven to madness or burn out? I don't know the answer. But I do think that I have taken time and deadlines too seriously of late. 

This is actually part of the reason I chose to call this blog "Tea Leaves & Time Turners." When I see a time turner I think of a passage of time, but a time that I start. I turn it over and the sand begins to spill through to the other side, but there's something soothing in it. I can pause and wait to turn it once more if I need. I can choose what kind of time turner I want.

Anything worthwhile takes time, but don't forget to have the patience to give yourself the time you need to also enjoy life and be the best of who you are and your well being.