“I look upon time as no more than an idea, and I consider eternity as a possibility.” – Mary Oliver
I have a complex relationship with time and am conscious that the deeper and more committed my practice of mindfulness is, the less complex and stressful time feels me. One of the daily exercises that help me to remain conscious of my changing relationship with time is to remain committed to my practice of gratitude.
When I stop and allow myself to focus on what I feel grateful for, I come back to now; time and time again to the present moment, and to all that I feel gratitude for. I can breathe and feel enriched and connected to a more spacious and open-hearted relationship with time. Gratitude gives me permission to acknowledge all that I have experienced in my day. Time stands still and there is a connection with eternity that feels so simple and yet so profound.
When I stop and allow myself to focus on what I feel grateful for, I come back to now; time and time again to the present moment, and to all that I feel gratitude for.
I may feel stressed by all that I have to do in my life but it helps me to come into the restorative and joyful experience of being with time. The being with time ironically helps me to do more, especially when I remember to remain connected to the feeling of eternity rather than time being a full stop that stops me from achieving and enjoying all that I wish to experience in this lifetime. It feels this relationship with time is the hand that allows me to hold the thread of hope with a gentle yet firm hold and feels restorative and rejuvenating. It reminds me of the cyclical and eternal movement of time and that at any given time, I can stop and connect with the smallest of things and experiences that I am eternally grateful for. I am aware that the outdated concept of being ruled by time is one that needs an occasional reboot and that the practice of gratitude is one that reminds me to do this.
