Time Is A Construct

(my son's reply to a question about 'having time to do something'. Yep, it got me thinking and eventually led to this blog entry.)

Question: Is "time" an abstract mental construct or does it exist independent of human consciousness?

I do believe that time exists. (Good job, because it's part of the title of this blog!!!) There are even verses in scripture that scholars say tell us that God created time, and that he lives independently of it. I came to that conclusion a while ago, and here's the blog post I wrote about it at the time, here. Star Trek fans will doubtless understand, have a read...

Another popular saying is: "Time doesn't exist, only clocks exist." Aah, now I believe you are on to something. Because it's really the way that we 21st Century humans relate to clocks that cause us so many problems. 

Because it is our clocks who tell us when we need to wake up, when we need to go to work, when it’s time for lunch, when we really should go to sleep. 

And there are so many of us who don’t do those things when we want to, we do them when others have determined they should be done.

Someone asked me an honest question the other day. "How did man ever exist without clocks?" Simple. They got up when it was daylight, and went to bed when it got dark. 

Want to get less stressed? Take that watch off your wrist for a little while...

Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so - Douglas Adams, The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Patience! You've got all the time in the world - whether a thousand years or a day, it's all the same to you. - Psalm 90:4, The Message translation.

Do Better

I Can't Say No

(with apologies to those people who thought this post was going to be about that song from 'Oklahoma'. That song is actually entitled "I Cain't Say No". Look it up!)

I have previously blogged about struggling with being assertive and with saying no. "You don't have to do that, you know. You can say no..." I've lost count of the number of times that people have said that to me over the years... not sure if this was a genuine concern about my well-being, or if it was something else...

However, I know too well what they mean. Saying no is especially tough for introverts like myself, because I personally hate conflict. It is far easier to "go with the flow" and not to resist. Saying yes is a logical way to keep the peace. Despite the fact that I can often end up worse off at the end of the day - overwhelmed and with low energy.

However, sometimes the main reason why I don't say no - is a strong conviction that I want to - or need to - say YES!

• YES to helping others, in making this world a better place
• YES, even though I don't get paid for it
• YES to standing up and being counted
• YES, even though there is a risk it may make be ill or overtired (an increasing factor at the moment!)
• YES to making a difference. 

That's why I can't always say no. 

I've blogged about this today, as there have been a few voluntary jobs I've had to drop off over the past few years as it's just become too much for me. And I suspect that as I get older, there may be one or two more things that will need to go. 

Oh, and by the way - if I do say no - please realise that I've not made the decision lightly. Putting pressure on me to 'change my mind' won't go down too well...

Thanks for listening. 

“In this life we cannot always do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

Over and over again

Did Einstein really define insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"?

Actually - he may not have done. It's often attributed to him, but there's not any solid proof that he actually said it.

However, I have been thinking about this phrase for quite a while now. Because I sometimes catch myself relaxing into the same old familiar ways, hoping that, just for once, the outcome might be subtlely different this time...

However, not this weekend.

These past few days have seen a complete change of pace. A bold strategy, which requires discipline, wisdom and courage. I'm way outside of my comfort zone, some of you will be pleased to hear... :)

It's a bit scary.

But, so far, different is good.