Introduction:
In this introspective book, I draw upon my understanding as a student of psychology to dissect the link between the human experience and the pursuit of understanding of God.
Through my experiences, I have come to realize that the big lessons often lie beyond the confines of traditional education, which frequently prioritizes rote learning and memorization over realities the world ahead poses. In contrast, the wisdom gleaned from lived experiences – with all their attendant triumphs and tribulations – is the most effective teacher. In this exploration, I probe beneath the surface to uncover the underlying magnitude of causes underlying the effects that shape this daily reality. It is not an inquisition into the how and why we are here, instead, it is a probe into the times we are in.
On Time:
Time is the great enigma of human existence. It taunts us with its erratic nature. It seems to gallop along at breakneck speed during moments when we are excited, and appears to slow down in moments of fear and anxiety.
Under the weight of anxiety, time seems to stand still – in that moment when fear takes charge, and the world seems to narrow down to a single, perfect instant, the instant you have to make a spontaneous decision and step off the road or get hit by a fast-moving car that’s turning a blind corner. And then there are those infrequent moments when happiness overwhelms you and time seems to move at an incredible fast pace. For two lovebirds trapped by desire, time’s endless, a void full of opportunity and promise.
Studies on a phenomenon called “time dilation” have shown that time can seem to move slower or faster depending on how fast an object is moving. If you’re traveling on a really fast boda boda, you notice that time feels to slow down as you experience relative motion.
The “block universe theory,” often known as eternalism, postulates that time is not what it seems to be. All moments—past, present, and future—exist side by side in a four-dimensional space rather than flowing like a river. According to this theory, time may actually be more of an illusion that our minds have conjured up to aid in our experiential navigation. This theory, which is backed by a number of physicists, contests the notion that time is a fundamental component of the universe and suggests that it is merely a mental tool that we humans use to make sense of the world around us. Many thinkers have struggled with the question of the nature of time, whether it is a fixed constant or a fluid force that adapts to the flux of our emotions and experiences.
So, rather than seeing time as a constant clock ticking away, we can think of it as something that can stretch and shift, influenced by the universe itself. This idea is supported by numerous scientific studies, including those on quantum mechanics and cosmology, which suggest that time may be an emergent property of the universe, rather than a fundamental aspect of reality. Together, these fields suggest that time might not be a basic part of reality but rather something that arises from the way the universe works.
The burning impulses of rage are tempered over time into a rich soup of insight and understanding. Over time, causes become consequences and vice versa, producing a never-ending story of development and change.
Time is that thing that tends a sapling’s sensitive shoots and helps it grow into a stately tree that stretches out to the sky. The fruit of knowledge ripens with time.
With time, we develop strength to face the unknown, the fortitude to withstand adversity, and the discernment to treasure the beautiful and joyful moments in life as the seasons pass.
On the infinite terrain of time, it’s easy to get sucked into the never-ending chase of your goals or objectives. However, the process of reaching them is more important than the outcome in and of itself. The most essential aspect of achieving those goals is not the end result itself, but the journey itself. Your objectives are as adventures rather than weights to be carried. The inner fire of “Ambition” ignites a relentless desire to achieve. It fuels determination, enabling us to overcome obstacles and setbacks. Ambition keeps us focused, able to properly monitor our goals, reminding us of the bigger picture and the fulfillment at the finish line. You focus on what really matters and make smart adjustments by routinely evaluating how your activities match your goals.
The mysterious speed at which time passes shows that it’s vital to keep track of how your time is spent, regardless of where you are or how many hours or days you have on the calendar. With this attentiveness – consciousness of time – you get empowered to make the most of each moment.
This attentiveness, being aware of your timeline, not only fosters a sense of accountability but also encourages you to recognize and celebrate your achievements, no matter how modest they may seem. Each small victory contributes to your overall progress, reinforcing your motivation to continue moving forward.
I know this from personal experience, when I mention “Time”, I am reminded of my own journey through the education system. It was a system that promised me the world, but delivered only a sense of progress and achievement that was incremental and fleeting. Year after year, I was rewarded with grades, certificates, and accolades, like a quest where I collected leveling tokens to help me advance to the next level. But as I looked back, I realized that this sense of progress was an illusion, a carefully constructed facade that obscured the truth. The more I progressed through the system, the more my hope in knowing the truth became dim. It was as if I was walking through a labyrinth, where every step forward led me further away from the truth, and deeper into a world of conformity and complacency.
Trapped in a never-ending cycle of routine jobs, I felt like time was slipping away from me, each day blending into the next without any sense of purpose or fulfillment. The freedom I yearned for seemed like an always distant dream, as I struggled to balance my own desires with the expectations from others.
I longed to break free from the constraints of societal norms and forge my own way, to escape the constant barrage of opinions and influences that threatened to consume my mind and lose myself in the process. But as I stood at the crossroads, I realized that I had a choice: to let time continue to slip away, or to take control of my own destiny and create a new timeline, one that was authentic and true to who I was.
Procrastination: A Thief of Time
Procrastination is the stealthy thief that chips away time leaving a trail of regret and unfulfilled potential. This habit creeps up, whispering sweet nothings of “later” and “tomorrow,” to leave you stuck in a rut of inaction.
You find yourself caught in a never-ending cycle of delay, putting off until tomorrow what you can do today, and until next year what you can accomplish in a month. But procrastination is a form of self-inflicted torture, a slow-burning fire that consumes your motivation and leaves you feeling empty and unfulfilled. Procrastination is a place where we find ourselves stuck, unable to break free from the gravitational pull of our own excuses.
Perhaps one of the most insidious aspects of procrastination is the tendency to overthink and not act. Where you get clogged in analysis paralysis, weighing the pros and cons, imagining all the possibilities that could go wrong, before you make a decision. It’s like running a marathon in your mind, without ever taking a step forward in reality. The endless cycle of thinking and not doing can be mentally exhausting.
Breaking Free From the Shackles of Procrastination:
Start by taking action, by getting your hands busy and your mind engaged. Dust off that old project you’ve been putting off, or start working on that proposal you’ve always meant to write.
Take small steps, but consistent ones, towards your goals. And as you do, you’ll begin to notice something remarkable – a sense of purpose, a sense of fulfillment, and a sense of pride in what you’ve accomplished. You’ll marvel at the results, and wonder why you ever let procrastination hold us back in the first place.
In the next article, we shall look at The Mind: A dynamic abstract entity that’s core for our survival.
References:
Droit-Volet, S., & Meck, W. H. (2007). How emotions colour our perception of time. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 11(12), 504–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2007.09.008
Einstein, A. (1905). On the electrodynamics of moving bodies. Annalen der Physik, 17, 891–921.
Rietdijk, C. W. (1966). A rigorous proof of determinism derived from the special theory of relativity. Philosophy of Science, 33(4), 341–344.
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