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