Tempus Fugit: Time Flies

Tiempo Mexicano
San Miguel de Allende, GTO, MX

Have you ever noticed how long twenty or thirty seconds seems when you stare at the clock? Put something in the microwave, punch in the time and just stare at the clock. Try it. The tick of each second seems like an eternity gone wild. The end doesn't seem to come quick enough.

Now remove yourself from the clock. Do the same exercise, but this time step away from the clock. Go and sit somewhere and forget the clock. By the time you sit and get comfortable, the timer will go off.

Each time that we eagerly wait for something to happen the same occurs. Time lingers while we wait. It really doesn't does it? It's the same measure but our perception is what is different. If we remove or provide ourselves with "distance", time flies. This is not a new concept. The Romans even had an expression for this: "tempus fugit, momento mori". Loosely translated this means: time flies remember your mortality.

Regardless of whether your stare at time or you ignore it, time marches on. What appears to be an eternity is simply a matter of distorted perception. Time measured in terms of our lives is not forever. Keep this in mind the next time you choose to stare at the clock. You would be better served to do something else in between the clicks and tocks or the LED movements.

Time & Me

Time & Me

Someone once told me that it's all about you.  At the time, I really couldn't comprehend the depth of what that meant.  Today, I interpret that to mean its about me and my relationship with time.  The fact that time is moving quickly prompts me to do more and more in less and less time.  In some ways, its about quality and efficiency.

In the last year, I've packed in more living than I have my whole life.  No I don't have any known health issues, it's just that I realize that I've already deferred too much in life 401K bank.  That's right you can actually defer too much and render what you saved useless.

None of us has any guarantees as to what time in the future will give us.  We have to learn to live in the now as if I gigantic tsunami were to strike within the next few hours.  You do not know.  Each day and each hour of your life is equally as important as tomorrow. I am grateful for what I have today.  I endeavor to enjoy today as if there will be no tomorrow.  To that extent, I will squeeze joy out of my life and leave my worries behind me.  That's right it's all about you, it's all about me, and it's about time and me.

Keeping Busy While You Wait

Waiting at Airport Terminal
Jacksonville, FL

Patience is not one of my virtues.  However, it is quickly becoming an acquired skill for me.  Rather than sit and wait killing time, I fill my down time with creative activity.  You will always find me doing something because I recognize you will never get time back.  Our predetermined clock ticks.


As a business man, I spent many nights away from home.  The days were filled with work and the evenings were spent waiting at airports and in hotels.  It was typically unproductive time.  One day I woke up to the fact that time after work belongs to me and that it was up to me to do something with rather than lose another day of life.


Time is a precious gift.  I choose to spend my own time reaffirming my creativity and thereby refreshing my soul.  All that we have in this world is limited time.  It's time to do something with your time.  Don't let someone or something rob you of your time.  If you work for someone else, work hard, but cherish your own time and make the best of it.  There are no second chances;  will never get yesterday back.