Is chronic timelessness the malady of our times

Perhaps, in history, there was never a time when humans had so much to do, with such little time. As we flit and flee from one task to another it perhaps might be a good idea to take a break, a deep breath and a detailed stock of the relationship that we humans hitherto have had with the concept of time. We seldom introspect on how to deal with time and the insurmountable everyday stress that weighs us down.

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During the past century the world has been increasingly equating time with money, an ideology which has placed humans in the proverbial rat race. Forcing people onto a mad scurry to make money from dawn to dusk and beyond. To slowdown, to exchange a relaxed and friendly hello or to even lend a helping hand has become a point of validation to be advertised on social media. Time, perhaps, is not money. The equation is, perhaps, flawed.

The repercussions of 'time is money' equation

As we perceive time to be money, it adopts a primary focus in our lives, things or moments that were much-valued in the past slowly lose their significance. Be it reading a good book and reflecting on it, or writing letters, or visiting a friend in need, such character building practices are looked upon as a waste of time. The aftermath of this are strained relationships, lifestyle diseases, substance addiction and the overall congestion of our mental and physical space. This further reshaping our society into a cluster isolated fragments that function according to the ebb and flow of popular trends.

What could be the solution

This undying and never-ceasing mad rush has, surely, robbed us of work-life balance. To regain our lost balance, the first thing we need to realise that time is far greater than money. Time is in fact life. This realisation would help us remove the unwanted clutter. Allowing an objective view while framing our decisions, instead of grabbing the first reason available to fulfil our myopic desires in the name of freedom of choice, subjective reasoning and lack of time.

To make experiences worthwhile, to learn from the past, to leave behind landmarks for future generations is our obligation to fulfil.