Savor Your Time

What is Time? According to the dictionary, Time is “the continuum of experience in which events pass from the future through the present to the past”. Does that mean Time is a noun that we can define? Or is it a concept that we can only describe? Regardless of what it is, most of us feel that we can never get enough of it. Even though there are 24 hours in a day, there are very few days we feel that we’ve had plenty of Time for everything that is important to us.

The Greeks had two ways of expressing Time, Kronos and Kairos. Kronos is the Time of the father/masculine world. It was named after Zeus’ father, who maliciously swallowed his children for the fear of being dethroned. It represents Time we live in on a measured basis, through hours, minutes and seconds. It is clocks, deadlines, watches, calendars, agendas, planners and schedules. We fear it, compete with it and try to control it, which is the reason why we’re constantly stressed and crazed. Kronos forces us to do.

Kairos, on the other hand, allows us to be. It is the Time of the mother/feminine and derives its name from Al Qahirah, meaning “the victorious”. It is also referred to as “God’s Time”. You experience Kairos when you are engaged in a heart to heart conversation with a dear friend, lost in the pages of a good book, meditating, praying or making love. Time passes without awareness or concern. In this moment, you are nurturing your Soul.

So the big question is, how do we shift from Kronos to Kairos Time? Unfortunately, the realities of life require us to maintain a certain amount of Kronos Time, for we must go to work and accomplish daily tasks in order to survive. However, you also need periods to step away from the world and calm your mind. We all have our own special ways of finding inner peace, but here are a few suggestions:

Slow down. Instead of trying to finish as many things as possible in a certain amount of time, try completing each task as if it were the only thing worth doing at that moment.

Say no. Many of us fear that saying no will lead to dissatisfaction or failure. But actually, the less you put on your plate, the better chance you have of performing quality work.

Let go. Realize that there are only 24 hours in a day and there will never be any more. Allot yourself efficient time for each thing you need to do and don’t try to complete them all in one day.

Clean up. “The initial step towards finding inner peace is the creation of peace in one’s outer world”. Clean up your house and make room for a small vase of fresh flowers, candles, pictures and anything else that reminds you to smile and breathe.

Be alone. Making time for yourself allows you to recharge your emotional batteries. Do things that you love to do, as well as things you need to do, in order to maintain your physical and mental health.

“Time is Too slow for those who Wait, Too short for those who Fear, Too long for those who grieve, and Too short for those who Rejoice” - Henry Van Dyke

…Savor Your Time!