Time sensitive
Toronto, ON, September 2007
So much of modern life is governed by time. From the micro - tomorrow morning, we'll wake up, go to work/school, return home, have dinner and tuck in on a predictable schedule - to the macro - tomorrow marks 50 years since Sputnik's launch, for example - we're almost constantly measuring something against some sort of time-based metric.
It enough to make me a little tired as I try to absorb it all. Most days, I wish I could just take the watch off and walk away from time, if only for a little while.
Your turn: Are we too addicted to time? Why/why not?
sometimes time feels like it enslaves us, but other times it gives us hope. like when you're really looking forward to something happening later in the day, it's nice to be able to feel the anticipation build as it gets closer and closer. time, like most things, is sort of a double-edged sword.
ReplyDeleteI generally ignore time on my days off. We eat when we're hungry, sleep when we're tired. I rarely have weekend plans which require promptness. I guess that's a luxury.
ReplyDeleteSidenote - I used to think a good manly watch was the coolest accessory a man could wear. I was always looking for a good one. Now I wake up one day and realize I never wear watches. The time on the face of the ever present cell phone is sufficient.
'Most days, I wish I could just take the watch off and walk away from time, if only for a little while.'
ReplyDeleteThis is what I do at re-enactment. My day is governed by 'show time' and lunchtime. We occasionally ask the time of visitors, but mostly ignore the passing minutes and hours.
It is REALLY nice to let the ratrace run without us for a while.
cq
I think we can be "addicted" to time when we monopolize our time overscheduling. I personally try not to cram too much in (which is a good balance to my husband who always HAS to be doing something).
ReplyDeleteSlow down... enjoy, I say.
I am not so much of a clock-watcher....but a list-completer. I have a list of our morning routine of things that have to be done before we walk out the door in the morning. I know how much time that it takes to complete that list...now if I can just get the kids to wake up in time to complete it on time!!
ReplyDeleteWe are too addicted to time. Consequently, we sometimes miss out on interesting interactions and connections with different people we encounter throughout our days.
ReplyDeleteI think it's more prevalent in larger urban centres. Since moving to the Maritimes 20 years ago, I hardly ever wear a watch unless i really have to. I take the time to appreciate the small things too. This morning for example I stopped to enjoy the tree reflections on the river.....and consequently was a little late for work. But, heck...why not? How often do we over look beauty because of a time crunch??
Oh yeah, time obsession is definitely a problem in modern society. As is the constant, uninterrupted flow of INPUT. Sometimes I get so tired from it that I just have to disconnect and put my mind on cruise control for a while.
ReplyDeleteI obsess about being late, for anything. I have to be on time.
ReplyDeleteAre we too addicted to time? Not society in a whole, but I am!
I stopped wearing a watch years ago. It has made life so much more pleasant. Yes I still have to get to certain appointments on time, but on the whole I find that I feel far less stress.
ReplyDeletei do not own a watch, hehe
ReplyDelete