TIME...................................................................................................................by Yuri Bacas Hosaka
This is what Wikipedia has to say about time (very interesting by
the way): "Two distinct views exist on the meaning of time. One view
is that time is part of the fundamental structure of the universe,
a dimension in which events occur in sequence. This is the
realist view, to which Isaac Newton subscribed, in which time itself
is something that can be measured. A contrasting view is that
time is part of the fundamental intellectual structure (together with
space and number) within which we sequence events, quantify the duration
of events and the intervals between them, and compare the motions of
objects. In this view, time does not refer to any kind of entity
that "flows", that objects "move through", or that
is a "container" for events. This view is in the tradition
of Gottfried Leibniz and Immanuel Kant, in which time, rather than a
thing to be measured, is part of the measuring system.”
It then goes on about the different definitions of the concept of "TIME”
by different dictionaries. If you read the American one, is sooo depressing...
"The Oxford English Dictionary defines time as "the indefinite
continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and
future, regarded as a whole." [1] The American Heritage Dictionary
defines time as "a nonspatial linear continuum in which
events occur in an apparently irreversible succession."
Encarta, Microsoft's Digital Multimedia Encyclopedia, gives the definition
of time as "System of distinguishing events: a dimension that enables
two identical events occurring at the same point in space to be distinguished,
measured by the interval between the events.”
I suspect for most of us time isn't just a scientific definition or a measuring device. It actually holds a much more emotional endearment that marks our memories or future dreams. Time is what stresses us or what we need to take more of? when relaxing... When making a decision, how we use time to come to a conclusion is key for the result because, as one of the definitions said: time is irreversible.
There are happy times and sad times...
Remember that time when...
There is always a first time...
What is most important is the time to come.. that's what we should look forward to! But.. without forgetting that TODAY is the only time you are truly in.. that's hard isn't it? It is all far too abstract and detached for human beings... How can we forget about our past and stop dreaming? They say that's the trick to be utterly happy and enjoy life to its limits. But how can we ignore what's around us, the way we've been brought up, when we were taught it was good to save for the rainy days.. when we had to decide when we were mere teenagers what we wanted to study! Decide then and there, when you are most worried about your hair, wearing your first bra or having your first chest hair how will you earn your money for the rest of your life!
"It's about time that you... " (your parents) "You haven't got time? Make it!” (your boss) "There is no time for that now” (anyone not wanting to do whatever you'd want to do) "I'm running out of time” (yourself.. self-stressing technique) "Next time” (in disappointing moments.. or when you are ultra optimistic and believe there will be another chance) "It's time to move on” (your best mate) "Time-break!” (as in basketball)
So many expressions we hear and use everyday are related to time. You know when they ask you what are the three most important things for you? Most of us would answer health (for me and my loved ones), love and money (yes, admit it!). Some of us say world peace and end of poverty. Accepted.. but, why don't we really answer: TIME?!
Time is the most precious things we own and still, we take it for granted! Watching the movie "September” by Woody Allen (one of his darkest) the other day there is this scene where an older lady is seating in front of the mirror. She is talking to herself about how she is getting old and she comes to say: "I look at myself in the mirror and I see something missing: a future” – Such a sad statement...
When we are kids we never think of time passing.. and I think it is then when we really enjoy ourselves the most! We run around freely, play and dream without any fear. We do things without thinking of the consequences and if anybody ask us: - What do you want to be when you are old? – with no same we can answer things like: astronaut, princess, F1 pilot or actress... – Who would dare to answer something like that when now, passed 30 one considers moving careers and it not only can be defined by what one likes but also how much is going to earn...
Somehow, at some point of our life someone corrupts our brains and convince us that we have to fear the pass of time, which paralyses us from then on anytime we need to make a decision, in case is the wrong one and we won't ever have the chance to amend it.
Even when I go on relaxing holidays and don't wear a watch or carry my mobile (where usually I check the time) – I still find myself restricted about when I need to eat, when I should go to bed because next day I "should” wake up early to make the most of the day, even if it only consists on laying down in the beach reading a book and falling asleep. But I just cannot miss out on that since paying for an airplane ticket and an apartment – why would one go somewhere to sleep in a bed? If anything, at least somewhere that looks as different as possible to your crammed London flat.
Oh well, I try to be optimistic. I try to imagine happy times coming whilst trying to enjoy every day as my last one (as Hollywood taught us in the Dead Poets' Society: Carpe Diem and all that) and so all you should!! That is why I believe it is important to always say what you think, not to be afraid of your feelings no matter how intense and as Spaniards say "No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy” (don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today).
Forget about regrets... And sorry but thank you for having taken a few minutes of your time whilst reading this. Next time, I hope I'll be the one reading you – stop wasting your time! go and write some article for Canvas!! He he...