The life of time

Time is an eternal flow within which creations appear and disappear like waves upon an ocean. Yet the passing of time is mysterious in how differently it is experienced at different times of an individuals life. We all perceive time differently. Our perception differs with age, experiences,upbringing, cultural background, and also with our carry over tendencies of previous lives. As my mother often said, time flows like the current of a river. It is interesting that time is compared to the current, and life itself is the river. In other words, without time, life would be static - it is time that gives life its value and dynamism. And it is in this current upon which glides all the joys and sorrows, health and ill-health, opportunities and disappointments of every life as it is experienced in different ways. So it is essential for us to learn how to swim in this current while experiencing what it brings and where it takes us. Mastering how we experience the passage of time is all the control we can have upon it for the rest is what floats upon it. We may get some guidance about managing time, from our old scriptures like Bhagavad Gita, Upanishad or from sayings of some enlightened souls. Bhagavad Gita tells us to perform all duties of life with sincere efforts, focused mind and with skilled hand. It tells us to maintain an even attitude to fruition and non fruition of what ever we do, and should do duties without pride of doer-ship .( chapter 2/ verse 47/48) Our concept of time also changes with age. Children are more focused to the present, and not bothered about past or future.That is why they feel happy to chase butterflies, love to mimic singing birds, or get thrilled to be drenched in summer rain. Time also brings challenging moments in many childrens' life . the pressure of poverty often forces children to risk their lives in many ways. Like brave soldiers, facing the challenges of time, they sell fruits, flowers, or polish shoes on crowded city streets. I always salute them mentally, because they face the challenges of life with dignity and courage. In adulthood, unless one gets the soft cushion of ancestral property to relax upon, we all try hard to make a living for us and for our family in a honest way. Money earned with honest and sincere efforts always brings peace in life. Yogananda righty said "Do not expect to attain unalloyed peace and happiness from earthly life. No matter what your experiences are, enjoy them in an objective way as you would a movie" ( Man’s Eternal Quest )The golden truth of Upanishad says, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbaka", which means , the world is one family. Keeping this truth in mind, enlightened souls , by giving their unconditional loving service to helpless and needy, leave their foot prints behind on the sands of time forever. As we can not grasp air within our fist, we can not grasp time nor hold back the passage of it. Time is impartial. Both king and popper have twenty four hours in hand, and how one uses that time - in wisdom or waste, depends on the free choice of an individual. So it is essential for us to understand what time is - a carrier of one's attention. The right use of time is to be attentive to its passing. The rest is circumstance.