TIME

Time -the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.

        We claim that we “have time” or we can “gain some time,” maybe even “save time.”  On the other hand, we do not want to “lose time” or “waste” it.  But what exactly IS time and how does it affect our lives? When I “Googled” time, the first definition was “the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.” 

       The Daily Galaxy  April 16, 2012 explained time, which it declares  is NOT a 4^th dimension, “as a measure of the numerical order of change…This numerical order is the only time that exists in a physical world.”

         In trying to understand those definitions, I underlined the pertinent words.  Now, can I wrap my head around those definitions?  Not so sure.

         Since time is a measurement of progress, it’s either exact, as with a clock, or it’s perceptual.  I would guess that optimistic people see time as something to have, share, save.  The “time” glass is half full of potential.  The positive feeling that there is time to spare to be on another committee or time to spend with a friend in need.  Maybe the new app on my phone will make me more efficient, thus saving time.

         On the other hand, a pessimist may be wary of losing or wasting time and thus, sacrificing some time-consuming actions to prevent the waste.  Visiting a parent once a week may just use up too much precious time.  Writing an email to a friend requires time a person feels he/she doesn’t have, going over a memo just one more time may seem unnecessary.

         Notice how our vocabulary is inundated with implications of time.  Words I used already include: inevitably, momentarily, prevent, efficient. Transition words imply time: because, as a result, therefore – all helping us move from one idea to the next.

         Moreover, time is the basis of cause-effect thinking, even if is just a” numerical measurement or order of change.”  Education of our youth will result in an electorate Thomas Jefferson dreamed of – knowledgeable and wise at the voting booth, productive and successful workers contributing financially to our experiment in democracy and capitalism.

         We raise our children certain ways, which we hope will result in loving prodigy, of which we can be proud.

         We blame unemployment on specific causes such as the EPA’s action against coal-fired power plants…or was it in gambling on China’s insatiable need for coal, which did unexpectedly decline.

         Time – we can’t escape the “order of change” – although sleep, exercise, meditation, prayer and periods of self-actualization (Maslow’s hierarchy) can put us in a state oblivious of time.  Even just being mindful in the moment – “smell the roses,” so to speak, just listening to our spouse without preparing a response – can fill the bubble of time in which we exist although only momentarily           

         How we see and use time are the ultimate questions for each of us.  The reduction of stress just may be tied to our perception of time.  I swing back and forth.  In retirement I try not to hurry, to feel free from the have-to’s or the looming deadline.

We have to decide if wishing time to pass, to get to the planned vacation or special dinner out is dangerous, wasteful, or inevitable.  Slowing down and experiencing the “now” may just reduce some of the stress we feel, whether caused by self or external factors.

"STUFF"

           What an overused, ambiguous term…”stuff.”  But I hear people every day mention how much “stuff” they have, they have to get rid of their “stuff,” I don’t want to get any more “stuff.”  For me, stuff means an overabundance of similar items to the point of nonuse.  I have so many pairs of earrings that it takes great effort to wear them all in a reasonable amount of time.  And there’s a big IF I ever wear them all.  Living in two places: one in the late spring, summer, and early fall and the other winter and parts of spring and fall, allows me to divide some of my “stuff” between the two locations in the hopes of using a larger percentage of the many items, thus justifying owning that much.  I have purses in both places.  Some shoes are specific to the location but some I bring back and forth.  My too many Christmas decorations are only used in the Arizona home, which is rather small.  Therefore, there are boxes and tubs of unused but very cute Christmas memorabilia.  The six foot tree remains in a box with one whole set of decorations never used. 

            Why I have more “stuff” than I can possibly use might go back to childhood.  I can name the toys: two sets of plastic animals, eight metal cars (including a Greyhound bus), six dolls, plastic and metal dishes which I used to set up a café counter in the living room.  On one trip to town with my dad who had to go to the blacksmith shop, I ended up coming home with a leather belt, two holsters, and two pot metal pop handguns.  Two play telephones rounded out my toys.  I only recall one stuffed bear.  My closet in junior and senior high did not contain too many clothes to wear, perhaps enough to wear fifteen different “outfits.”  I may have had three pairs of school shoes, one pair dressier for church, as well.  I don’t remember feeling deprived but I sure have made up for any dearth of ownership after I began my career in teaching and life as a wife and mother. 

            Living in capitalistic America with advertisements absolutely everywhere including my new pastime, Facebook, I have succumbed to the practice of mistaking “want” with “need.”  I can convince myself so easily that a sale item is a victory in frugality.  How sad!  The fact that our family income was comfortable also allowed guilt-free accumulation.  We didn’t go after large, expensive “wants” but somehow, smaller expenditures were okay and not a problem of “too-much-ism.”  I was wrong.  Many small things add up and crowd out contentment.

            Now that I’m in my sixties, I look around my summer (original family home) and see how full it is of cherished and overlooked furniture and decorations.  Instead of two favorite wall-hangings, I have twenty-two.  Of course, the ones painted by my mother-in-law are very special…to be handed down to my sons.  The others, some from exotic places my brother lived or purchased on special trips, will have less value to my descendants than to me.  Will an auction sell those items for little or nothing?  How could I possibly downsize to a two bedroom condominium; what would I give up?  My blood pressure rises at the thought.

            So, what’s to be done?  Do I add my objects to the overflowing thrift markets and garage sales?  Do I pawn (begging, really) them off on my children?  Do we have to experience what we see on the television show Hoarders? Surely our problem is not that bad!!  Professional help might work, with a price-tag.

          I wonder if there is a comforting method to reduce, slowly but surely. Holding each object to feel enjoyment for it or not is methodical but oh-so tedious and not guaranteed to work.  Logically, step one would be to stop contributing to the accumulation.  It’s like a diet from buying, whether a flea market find, the sale of a lifetime, or just a plain impulse purchase.  And I know how diets go.  Choosing not to replace clothing I’ve donated to the thrift store could help.  Concentrating on all the wonderful relationships I have, friends and, well, relatives.  Ignoring advertisements would be good.  Taking walks, having coffee with friends, reading books from the library, watching television show I’ve missed in the past…none of those lead to more “stuff.”   

I can follow the lead of my mother-in-law who gifted sets of wine glasses to her children.  I have sets of items that would make lovely gifts.  Considering the recipient would be a bit of a trick, however.  Only relatives?  Whatever the case, writing this blog is a good new beginning.  It’s time to reduce with a smile in the process.