All the Time in the World
All the Time in the World
Date: 8/15/2009
Author: Frank Elder
Einstein’s theory of relativity brings fourth the assumption that time goes more slowly in higher gravitational fields. This is called gravitational time dilation. And in addition; frame-dragging, in which a rotating mass “drags along” the space time around it.
So what does this mean to those of us, just trying to get by day to day? Well, honestly not much. But what is time? Why are we so preoccupied with its passing, and its direction? If we can not control the future, why are we concerned so much with how it will play out?
The past worries us as a whole, and it is something that brings us great sorrow daily. Even though we can not change the past, we look towards it to change our future and shape the paths we take. And for that reason, the past also gives us great hope for the future.
We have as a society, become very much about the “me” and the “moment”. Many of us live our days, hour by hour, sometimes minute by minute. We look at the time we have available to us and really do not give it much of a thought. We think we have plenty of time available to us, to do tomorrow, what we could have done today.
Time is not infinite, at least in our corporeal states that we reside now. Every moment we have is a blessing, and should be treated as such. But so many times we are dealing with the stress of living life, and allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by everything going on around us.
Getting back to the “its all about me” thing. It truly saddens me when I see someone neglecting the simplest actions of showing concern for those around them. For example, just holding a door open for someone. Does it matter you held the door open for someone older, younger, a different sex, same sex, an unknown sex? If the answer to that question is yes, then why does it matter? Why should it matter? What is truly dictating your actions, and whether or not you show someone the simplest action of kindness?
A positive attitude and concern for those around you are a state of mind. Nothing else, it is actually that simple. It takes no time, to show one person an act of kindness in a day’s time. And most all of us interact with others to one degree or another during a day’s time, so we each have the ability to take that step forward and show someone even the simplest acts of kindness.
Time has no meaning to us, even though we each profess a desire to have more of it and more control of this invisible force. And why do I say it has no meaning to us? Because we do not treat it as the precious commodity that it actually is. Because we either do not care about its passing, or are so consumed with slowing its pace, we just have lost its meaning.
And with this loss, comes desensitization to the world around us. Our concern is with the moment, and with the “me”. So we give up on bettering our selves, and by that I do not mean monetarily and with great worldly possessions. I mean in showing true concern for those around us, and making a difference in someone’s life.
If each of us just took a brief and minuscule amount of time out of our daily lives to show care and compassion to someone around us, just think of the consequences of your actions. All of a sudden, you are showing others that it is ok to care. You are showing them, that it is ok to take of your time and help someone else. You may feel like a single snow flake in a storm, with no impact and no control. But you have more impact and control than you realize. Get enough snowflakes together, and you can build a snowman. Even more, and you suddenly have the momentum to do more than you ever imagined.
So, to those that say we have all the time in the world, and can accomplish tomorrow what could have been done today. I say you are wrong. Accomplish today what could be put off for tomorrow. Effect a positive change in the world around you, to any degree possible. Remember, a single snowflake may seem small, but together we have true power. How will we use it though?
~ Frank Elder
Wonderful post, Frank. So very true-positive change, positive actions-doing good-so important for everyday.
i agree with you on several points! point of showing kindness and concern for those around us is and i’m afraid to say ‘rare’ but hopefully more people jump on the bandwagon. let me quote you: ”Accomplish today what could be put off tomorrow. Effect a positive change in the world around you, to any degree possible” AGREED! and well said! Even though i may be different from my neighbor who has different intersts,etc, does not mean i’m not goin to be kind or help someone in any way i can. kindness, faith, and compassion comes in all many shapes, and sizes. very good article!
great post Frank. very buddhist in philosophy. what is life except how we use our time and connect positively with others.
Very well said blog post. The it’s all about me thing is sad but seems to be how so many are today. I have seen people let the door close in the face of someone behind them. Good job!
well said post. hopefully more people will begin thinking this way.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Seer Max and Seer Max. Seer Max said: RT @HelpResources: All the Time in the World ~ http://bit.ly/ozIE2 Let me know your thoughts pls [...]
Thank you for sharing this with me. Well thought out and shows insight and creativity which is is the hallmark of a good writer.
The “desensitization to the world around us.” you speak of is also due to being over exposed daily to a information that plays out in our daily lives via news, Internet, as well as the instant gratification we now expect.
Being so connected we have experienced a disconnect in the world around us.
Somehow what use to gives us pause for thought and bring an outcry is now accepted as the norm.
Thank you for sharing and good work.
Care Pathways
I like yr post, i think u have a point. Me trying to live day by day, uknow. Ppl have to learn that life is something we live once. Thats my point of view. And i trying to everyday help some1 or giving some1 a smile. And i feel happy for my life and my children.
Loved yr post 2 day!
I couldn’t agree more.
I love this:
“Time has no meaning to us, even though we each profess a desire to have more of it and more control of this invisible force. And why do I say it has no meaning to us? Because we do not treat it as the precious commodity that it actually is. Because we either do not care about its passing, or are so consumed with slowing its pace, we just have lost its meaning.”
It takes so little to make a difference in the direction of someone else’s day. In the process, you change the direction of yours as well.
Wonderful post Frank. I do try to do nice things and take time to reach out to others, although I am guilty of not being in that mode all the time. The feeling you get when someone genuinely smiles and thanks you for caring is priceless and gives you a euphoric feeling that can’t compare to many. Unfortunately, none of know how much time we truly have. Make the most of what is given to you and see how you can share it with others.
Very nice artical,..Its speaks a lot of truth. You are a very good writer with a lot of insight.
Hi there,
Interesting, I`ll quote it on my site later.
very good. it is a me world. and we do need to show more kindness in this world.. and we do need to come together but i feel like that is a long way off.
Can i take a one small pic from your blog?
GlenStef
Dazzling article . Will definitely copy it to my blog.Thanks.
Good article, thank you
You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.
http://top-get.com
best regards
Hello from Russia!
Can I quote a post in your blog with the link to you?
I liked it. So much useful material. I read with great interest.
Thank’s for sharing this
This is really interesting
Frank,
Great post. I will say that I probably neglected the kindness and empathy that is so needed in a world that can be, at times, a little uncaring. However, with crisis and with a very dark time in my life, came the recognition that small acts of kindness can often turn the tide for someone out there. I remember leaving my wallet on top of my car as I tucked my 4 yr. old in her car seat. The wallet had my last $100 in the world in it and I drove off, in a state of confusion and despair after a custody bout with my lawyer-ex and left the wallet on top of the car. Later that day, I received a call from a woman saying she found my wallet in the middle of the road and could she bring it to me. It would have been one thing if she had driven up in her Lexus or in her shiny new vehicle with shiny new clothes..she was rather poor, it seemed, older and in ill health, it seemed. She said she saw the picture of my daughter in the wallet, and knew that she had to find me somehow. She just knew that I needed to know that God had not forgotten me. I will never forget that small act of kindness. I was contemplating all kinds of desperate acts in my desperate state. It saved me, I think, just to know that such kindness and love for one’s fellow man still existed. Thanks for your site and for all of the positive energy you exude.
Thank you very much for that excellent article
I am definitely bookmarking this page and sharing it with my friends.
Very extraordinary website.
The information here is very helpful.
I will refer it to my friends.
Cheers
Many thanks to all of you who have posted comments here. I truly believe that we as a society can turn things around so to say, and start showing more of those little acts of kindness each and every day.
And in doing so, will make the world a better place.
It is a quality web page.
I have bookmarked this particular web site and I am going to inform my girlftriend about it.
Regards