Do you ever wonder about time?
But that it can be capricious in its inevitable march – fast or slow, stretching and contracting, shortening and elongating.
Much longed for events are planned and looked forward to with a distant gaze into the future and then suddenly are upon us, fleetingly enjoyed and then cast backwards into the history of our lives with barely a chance to hang on and relish each second.
I think I am not alone in perceiving this year, in particular, to be hurtling forward with tremendous velocity, faster than “normal”. The light of each day is lengthening but still each feels too short, with not enough accomplished at its end. Sometimes, in the morning I feel the urge to grab hold of the big, round finial at the end of the bed and pull back hard, thinking I might slow things down just a bit.
Even our season here is greatly accelerated. In the third week of February, it is full blown spring. The Sunday paper proclaimed “April in February!” and the local beaches were crowded.
Comparing images of our flowering plum trees from today to past years, we are four to five weeks in advance. And, as they burst into bloom, literally overnight, the birds are bursting into song, courting and nesting with the energy of Maytime.
I ponder what does this do to their life cycle. Or life span.
Time runs at its own pace and we cannot choose but to follow. Or can we?
As all our scheduled activities and commitments and creations swirl around us like dervishes, we are urged by magazines to “take some time” for ourselves, with the inelegant phrase “me time”.
Well, it’s all “me time” isn’t it? Our lives? Each second belongs to us individually and how we weave those precious threads of “time” defines our experiences, accomplishments and the full tapestry of our existence.
It’s not just a matter of slowing down, or stopping to breath, or smelling roses, though, is it? It’s crafting and creating the measure of each moment, to be aware of its passing and thankful for the chance to mold it into joys and memories and love and care for those around us, to notice and appreciate the changes in the natural, as well as the manmade, world and to do our parts to make them better.
Today, let’s cherish each of the gifts of Old Man Time, even when he seems to be dispensing them a bit too fast for our liking.
With many thanks and love to each of you who stops by.
xo – g
I personally never feel like I have enough time to do the things I want. I think part of it is getting too side tracked!! I start out doing one thing, it leads to something else….etc etc.
Did I finish the original thing I started?
And I too am amazed at the jumpstart our Spring has taken. I can't believe the flowering trees.
Oh yes, that was another thing I wanted to do this week..take some photos of them. I think I got side tracked!!
Beautiful post as always G!
What a lovely post…I think I should take a little bit more time to enjoy the small moments and just "be" – though I do feel very happy when I'm being creative… Beautiful photos by the way, thanks x
what a wonderful post g, so apt for how i'm feeling at the moment. these photos are beautiful, as strange as it is to see blossom this early in the year it's still such a joy to see their delicate colours :) i love that very first one the most i think, the focus and composition are just beautiful.
I too have pondered time but, not quite as beautifully as you have pondered and expressed. No, my thoughts are simple and sporadic. Sleep deprivation has a lot to do with it…I think. I often get so caught up in making sure that my family has their essential needs met that I don't really get to cherish the sweet moments of childhood and innocence that I know will soon be gone. I love how you've gently brought to my attention and encouraged me to…"be aware of its passing and thankful for the chance to mold it into joys and memories and love and care for those around us, to notice and appreciate the changes in the natural, as well as the manmade, world and to do our parts to make them better". Thank you my dear. ♥ Oh, and I'm so glad we are team-mates.
Georgianna,
Beautifully said. Time is elusive.We are so busy doing,doing,doing we are sidetracked by the speed in which life goes by. And when we stop to ponder 'time" it is shocking how fast it really does pass.One of the reasons I love photography is the capture of that small moment in time…to refresh my memory and for making me slowdown to actually see it.
Your cherry blossom pictures are breathtaking.
now that I've been pondering on 'TIME" now I am pondering how I can take those gorgeous photo's.
I fear another online class coming.
I'm happy we are on the same BYW team:0)
Shay
Your photos are beautiful, I love these blossoms!
Georgianna, Beautiful, everything so beautiful, your thoughts, your photography, your entire blog. Am delighted to have found you through the BYW group.
Gina
Oh, Georgianna, I wanted you to know that I changed my blog header once again, all because of you. I wanted to copy the softer touch that I so admire in your blog.
Gina
I send time away sometimes. It gets in the way. I just get lost when I let myself. I hope you have the times of your life. Sending you a moment of friendship. Blessings.
I tell you, I had to go back more than once so that I could read and absorb your beautiful words. Your images are making me shiver with their beauty. My, oh my do you have a gift.
Well, I could just give you all a big hug for your lovely comments! Thank you all for being here. xo – g
Gorgeous!
your are so talented not only through your photographs but also with words … I am savouring each moments :)
Hi G
once more slightly late to your post but means I can read all the feedback people have left about time.
Your idea to show the contrast of years with the blossom tree was wonderful for a post and your words perfectly sum up how as John Lennon says "life is what's happening while we're busy making other plans"
Nature helps us see the passage of time as natural and necessary and something to go with rather than against. Another saying comes to mind "everything has a season and a time and a purpose under heaven"
thankyou for the Time spent in reflection here G I came by for a little pick me up in your special space as I was feeling a bit low. It's a year ago very soon that we lost my Grandma.
I adore all the blossom photos and Grandma would have too,she loved all gardening and flowers and trees in all seasons and your blog and photographs wouldve amazed her
love to you across the time zones!
Kat xxx
I definitely feel like this… how time, the seasons just pass without us realizing, but I have never really thought about how all our time is me time, our life is me time, of course! Thanks for making me think about this!
Georgianna, this is so moving, so bittersweet. You have written your thoughts masterfully. Beautiful photography too. I find myself always thinking about time and feel a sense of urgency that I never felt before. I'm sure I'll be rereading this more than once.
Thank you for your beautiful comments, dear friends. They are especially welcome this weekend, which has been stressful due to D's family being in central Chile. They are all safe but communications and power still disrupted and property damage still being assessed. Your visits and warmth are so appreciated. xoxo – g
Such lovely words and stunning photos!
(I hope the family are able to regroup after such a disaster and that the damage has a minimal impact on them)