My dad raised a question for me, which is there’s no real definition for the way or reason time feels like it moves faster or slower at any given point. The reason I fixated on this question is that my boys are out-of-town for the week with their dad and I don’t want this quiet time to go to fast (sorry guys, but it is a bit peaceful!).
Of course, it’s a widely accepted adage that, “The older you get, the faster time seems to go.” But why is this? Time should be the same no matter what. And why do they say that time flies when you’re having fun? Aren’t we having fun in our old(er) age when it’s flying by? Does that mean it’s not flying by when they are teens (our kids will say that’s true!).
As I was thinking about this, I remembered an article I had read once by Philip Yaffee where he said that time moves at different speeds based on anticipation or retrospection. In other words, when we anticipate things that are important to us, they seem so far away. Then, they happen and we look back the event is over, the anticipation was longer than the actual event … making time feel like it went fast.
For me, the high point of my life, thus far, has been my children. It has been a joyful, difficult and amazing experience and the time is going so quickly. When I had written 65 blogs I recall saying to my dad, “how am I going to possibly write 300 more?” And here I am, just 42 left – it went so fast!
The real issue for me is that I want to slow it down enough to appreciate the moments. Like yesterday, I took 10 minutes to sit in the living room and just chat with my daughter. Nothing big, just talking. It was wonderful. Or, my vacations with the kids. The first days go slower as I enjoy the experience and the last days go faster as I get more tired and anxious to get home!
So here’s my take away: When we do the same things over and over again, day in and day out, nothing new or exciting – the time just flies by. When we take advantage of new and unique experiences, we make distinct memories and we live in the moment. In other words:
When we hold a positive perception of life, people and the future, when we experience new things, we use our time more wisely and in turn, time “moves” more slowly.
So, I’m going to try to have at least one new experience a day. It can be small. Just something to make the day stand out and allow me to appreciate the moment.
Have a great one!
theyearof50 