With a mind that’s curious about everything and given to dropping down the rabbit hole of new information or into fascination with a new idea in a heartbeat, I must stay alert to losing time. I’m often distracted by the Mad Hatter of the internet. On these adventures into Wonderland, I see information that is amazing. With the new discoveries and data available, it often seems like Alice’s strange dream. Then, I glance at the clock and like the White Rabbit, I jump up and think “I’m going to be late!”
Truthfully, I find it is easier to go slowly and be less obsessed with getting somewhere. I also find that what I heard all my life is true – time just flies by the older I get. I do think it’s true that social media and the internet, while serving a good purpose in many ways, distract us from the present moment. We look up and not only are we going to be late, but we’ve also lost a slice of time that we’ll never get back.
Like all things, this technology can be both good and bad: It’s a wonderful world of knowledge right there at our fingertips, and being a bit nerdy, I really appreciate that. It is also, an endless “tea party” where we can lose contact with the people around us and the life we could be living. On the plus side, for people of all ages and especially the elderly who can be isolated, it is a source of company, companionship, and entertainment. It is a chance to keep up with friends and family across town or across the world.
If the Caterpillar in Alice asked me, “Who are you?”, I would know better now than when I was young. I know that I am someone who finds tedious tasks tiresome while at the same time, I like a routine. I’ve got into a habit of listening to podcasts and audiobooks as I do chores around the house. It really helps and I enjoy the distraction. I don’t think I’m going to quit that entirely, especially when I have busy days. It’s not so different from when I used to do embroidery and needlepoint and enjoy listening to/watching a tv show while doing something useful with my hands. But I’ve noticed that I am not present for what I’m doing when thus distracted through the day. I am not “in the moment”. Of course, that’s the idea. The thing is it tends to carry over to other times and makes it harder to really focus on simple tasks and pay attention to them.
Sometimes, simple tasks and small jobs can be satisfying and comforting. Glancing out the window while working in the kitchen at a bird flying up from a tree or a deer with two fawns easing around the edge of my back yard while trying to discourage the babes from nursing is a chance to connect to the world around me. It’s a connection that makes me smile and remember. It stretches time and leaves a memory to keep. What I’m saying is I enjoy the advantages of this technology, but I don’t want to look up from my afternoon and not really have been present for it most of the hours.
The mind really does do odd things with time as we age, distant memories seem close and people not seen in years dearer. The weeks, months, and years seem to expand then shrink like Alice as she moved through Wonderland. That’s why it’s so important to find that stable Center within us mentioned in the previous post. Aging makes us want to say” hurry, hurry – time is fleeting” or “slow down, enjoy each moment – they won’t be back”. Point of view does change everything.
I go down these rabbit holes too! It’s fun, but you are right: it’s time we can’t get back!