A Shift in the Nature of Time

Not sure if you agree, but I sense there's been a real shift in the way we do time. It used to be that people watched the clock, counted the minutes, and generally focused on numbers, results and output. All of which still matters, but it's no longer the way we seem to measure real value. Yes, the numbers count. Obviously. Yes, the higher they are the better, generally speaking. But there's this new quality of time: a shift away from clear-cut measurements in hours and seconds, output and "making it worth someone's time to spend time with us" to a more nuanced approach.

Yes, I believe there's a greater emphasis on what is nuanced, than there was even a few years ago. This despite all the blaring and glaring; the tweeting and the ghosting. Somewhere in there is a small, robust, green plant that is thriving: that embodies the personal, the real, and the everlasting. People want to go deeper. Yes, we're going about it in all sorts of ways, some good, some not so good. But the fact remains: time has shifted. We're on a new track. We're different, despite having the same basic needs we always have. We are seeking to have them met in new ways. This article expands on that.

In this more nuanced age and stage we're in, for instance, I see a greater focus on, say, intentionality. Even intimacy. Being authentic. Really connecting. Feeling heard. And moving forward on shared ground we can trust. Building for tomorrow as well as today.

In this more nuanced reality, there's a greater value placed on truth, not just transparency. On alignment, not just accountability. On trust, not just leadership. This is a whole new world, or at least a whole new time, we're in.

This is the time to take stock of inner goods. To pause and consider how grounded our lives and work and relationships are in the things that last. Do we feel we have capacity to reach out to others and really give something of ourselves: our attentiveness, or our money, or our effort? Or does this make us feel put upon, even drained?

Are we feeling full-up and satisfied, inside and able to give out in a healthy way, or are we feeling drained and put-up in an obligatory way? Where are we in this time of becoming more real, more present, more available? Hmmm...

If any of this resonates with you and you want to shore up what's going on inside to live into more fully this new time we're in now, consider the benefit of the spiritual disciplines. These include spending time, quietly, each morning, in prayer and reflection. Spending time in silence, and spending time contemplating what is good, beautiful, true and worthy.

You'll notice the theme: to spend time well means to spend time, personally, in touch with deeper truths, eternal perspectives, and ultimately with God, the One who made us how we are, and who is sovereign over every age.

• SOLITUDE - getting alone to find where we are, to attune to what's going on, inside, and to come to know that we are not alone: God is with us
• SILENCE - keeping silent to hear something other than the latest news, noise, or need; to learn to listen longer, to unpack the noise in our own soul, to grow still...
• CONTEMPLATION - looking longer, pausing to drink in the beauty, wonder, intricacy and possibilities of God's creation; coming to find our place in it

Solitude. Silence. And Contemplation. These are just three of the spiritual disciplines that serve to strengthen the life of the soul.

Personally, I cannot recommend them highly enough, for anyone looking to live well, from the inside out, and find calm in the storms of life: that come up in every age and stage. But right now, I believe, the window is open to explore and embrace these disciplines (and there are others), and I encourage you to do so, as you feel led.

A more nuanced sense of time means the inner life has a greater role to play in what we are about; proves more essential to get us where we're going; and will be pivotal to our handling of the pivots.

If this is your time to learn how to spend time, consider reading more on the spiritual disciplines. My book of poems, "Longings of the Soul, a poetic response" speaks to seven of them and I'm working on another book for the new year that spells these seven out in detail, and includes thought-provoking questions to bless the life of your soul. My latest book of poems would also be a lovely choice. It's called - "Quiet Waters, engaging the life of the soul through poetry" is also available online and through my website: www.daynamazzuca.com

Thanks for reading!