I am a collector. Throughout my life what I have actively collected has changed but there is always something that I am “collecting”. At one point in my life, that “something” was clocks. I’ve now progressed from collecting clocks to having a collection of clocks.
Recently I realized that when I look around at my various collections there seems to be something underlying them all. What does my clock collection reveal? I am fascinated by and intimately value time. I remain curious as to why we feel such a need to measure it.
Very few of my clocks reliably work. Each one has a different time displayed most of the time. It drives some of my friends crazy. I gave up trying to keep up with them. They are now a reminder of the gift of time, not a measuring of it.
Time. A moment. A season. A lifetime. Eternity.
Impossible to fully explain other than to say it is without question one place where everything and everyone is equal. Time is time. Throughout history, it has been studied and debated. It is beyond anything else what we ultimately seem to covet most. And it is something we cannot create or buy. Many of the most quoted proverbs and sayings have indeed been about our old friend (or enemy!) time. Here are two that are among my favorites:
Who forces time is pushed back by time; who yields to time finds time on his side. ~The Talmud
Man measures time and time measures man.” ~ Italian proverb
Some of the most compelling thoughts on time are found in antiquity and the Bible. Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 is perhaps one of the most quoted sections penned by Solomon celebrated for his wisdom. For me, it expresses eloquently the lessons we need to learn and remember: “For everything, there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
It brought to mind a song that is an old favorite – Turn! Turn! Turn! This video is a wonderful opportunity to experience that music again and enjoy some incredible photography and images at the same time. This bit of musical nostalgia for me reminded me of another favorite thought on time from an old English proverb: Time has wings.
Time. A gift. Invest it well.
