Why Perception Matters!
The Life Puzzles Series: Piece 9
Today, I will begin with an unusual statement: I never thought I would share this!
This piece may seem like a continuation of an earlier one from two weeks past called What Matters to You, where I divulged a weakness and struggle with impatience. However, it was not pre-planned as I did not intend to broach the subject of time again. But I must! Because I value closure greatly! For this reason, I do not leave faucets running, uncorked bottles on the kitchen island, lights on in empty rooms at home, or entrance doors open when I walk past them. However, I realized that two weeks ago, in the blog titled What Matters to You, I opened a door when I exposed my long-standing wrestle with the construct of time. To shut the door, I will reveal how I found harmony.
The journey to harmony
An article published by NASA defines time as the non-spatial continuum in which events occur in succession irreversibly from the past through the present to the future. Indeed, humans cannot hold time. But I was preoccupied with doing so! Upon realizing that my fixation on controlling time was catapulting my ability to find contentment and peace, I endeavored to gain a deeper perception of it. Here, I will share how the newfound understanding impacts my life.
A new perception births a new understanding
Before I go further, let us level-set in reality: Each of us experiences 1440 minutes or 86400 seconds daily. Regardless of how large or small the number sounds, it is limited. Surprisingly, as I wrestled with this limitation, I realized time is limited but sufficient. Of course, I do not intend to suggest that I have mastered the art of patience. Far from it! However, I have developed a healthy perspective that benefits me immensely.
Here’s what I learned…
In the piece What Matters to You, I stated that I unknowingly allowed my fixation on time to have a stronghold over my mind and actions. And this caused consternation! After realizing and accepting that I did not and could not own time, I wondered who did. Through deepening my relationship with my Creator, I grasped a subtle yet potent insight: My Creator owns time, and I manage it as He allows. – This translates into a dance of faith and time between us. Wherein I offer my faith to Him, i.e., an unshakeable belief and trust that He is who He says He is. And He does what He says He will do. Correspondingly, through the gift of time and grace, He grants me the opportunity to be the best I can be. And furnishes me with the ability and drive to fulfill my purpose. Once I grasped this, my remit became clear. It is Love. Learn. Give. Also, my perception of time and my life changed!
Perceptions change lives
Importantly, I stopped viewing my Creator as unsympathetic and uncompassionate, as I sometimes described Him when I wrestled with time ownership due to unrealized wishes and hope deferred. I realized God was my best friend: My most loyal supporter and endearing critic. – One who never shies away from drowning me with love out of fear I might take him for granted. But also, compassionately helps me see flaws in my thinking and behavior that can limit my progress and steer me away from my purpose. Beautifully, through our relationship, I learned the real meaning of friendship!
Now, I perceive time in three distinct but interrelated capsules: Yesterday is the capsule of lessons. Today is the capsule of opportunities. Tomorrow is the capsule of dreams. Time cannot be borrowed, saved, or owned. It is a gift to enjoy and use wisely.
Friend, I leave you with this:
Although I shared about time, this is fundamentally about the impact of our perceptions on our lives. The opportunity is to understand how and why we see situations as we do. For some, it might pertain to your perception of your worth and value to others. Or something entirely different. Although challenging, such explorations are worthwhile as they enable growth and a healthy mind.
Until next time!
For you and to you,
Aké
Image credit: Pexels | Ray Bilcliff