Tempus Fugit

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Lon
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Tempus Fugit

Post by Lon »

No one is more aware of time and how little of it there is left, than those of us in the so called Golden Years. As I watched part of today's news on TV and the ceremonies for the presently dead Ted Kennedy age 77, I think to myself, Hmm---he was two years older than me.

As a teenager, summers seemed endless, and now, they pass alto quickly.

Our garbage pickup is every Thursday and it sure seems like every day is Thursday. Does this quick passing of time bother me? Not in the least, but unlike when I was a younger it does give me the determination to utilize my time more effectively and enjoy the moments that I have left.
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spot
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Post by spot »

The present life of man, O king, seems to me, in comparison of that time which is unknown to us, like to the swift flight of a sparrow through the room wherein you sit at supper in winter, with your commanders and ministers, and a good fire in the midst, whilst the storms of rain and snow prevail abroad; the sparrow, I say, flying in at one door, and immediately out at another, whilst he is within, is safe from the wintry storm; but after a short space of fair weather, he immediately vanishes out of your sight, into the dark winter from which he had emerged.

That's not me, that's the Venerable Bede. He says it better than I could. He died in 735. I visited his grave a while back. And, now I think about it, I went to a service in his church too.

On the other hand, whatever the Venerable Bede says, time can be very distant. Last Sunday is a long long time ago.
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left. ... Hold no regard for unsupported opinion.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious. [Fred Wedlock, "The Folker"]
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
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along-for-the-ride
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Tempus Fugit

Post by along-for-the-ride »

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.

Carl Sandburg

US biographer & poet (1878 - 1967)
Life is a Highway. Let's share the Commute.
ZAP
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Tempus Fugit

Post by ZAP »

spot;1234861 wrote: The present life of man, O king, seems to me, in comparison of that time which is unknown to us, like to the swift flight of a sparrow through the room wherein you sit at supper in winter, with your commanders and ministers, and a good fire in the midst, whilst the storms of rain and snow prevail abroad; the sparrow, I say, flying in at one door, and immediately out at another, whilst he is within, is safe from the wintry storm; but after a short space of fair weather, he immediately vanishes out of your sight, into the dark winter from which he had emerged.


That's beautiful, Spot. Thank you.
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Lon
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Post by Lon »

spot;1234861 wrote: The present life of man, O king, seems to me, in comparison of that time which is unknown to us, like to the swift flight of a sparrow through the room wherein you sit at supper in winter, with your commanders and ministers, and a good fire in the midst, whilst the storms of rain and snow prevail abroad; the sparrow, I say, flying in at one door, and immediately out at another, whilst he is within, is safe from the wintry storm; but after a short space of fair weather, he immediately vanishes out of your sight, into the dark winter from which he had emerged.



That's not me, that's the Venerable Bede. He says it better than I could. He died in 735. I visited his grave a while back. And, now I think about it, I went to a service in his church too.



On the other hand, whatever the Venerable Bede says, time can be very distant. Last Sunday is a long long time ago.




I like that Spot. You also caused me to Google Bede and increase my knowledge somewhat.
ZAP
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Post by ZAP »

Lon;1234849 wrote: No one is more aware of time and how little of it there is left, than those of us in the so called Golden Years. As I watched part of today's news on TV and the ceremonies for the presently dead Ted Kennedy age 77, I think to myself, Hmm---he was two years older than me.

As a teenager, summers seemed endless, and now, they pass alto quickly.

Our garbage pickup is every Thursday and it sure seems like every day is Thursday. Does this quick passing of time bother me? Not in the least, but unlike when I was a younger it does give me the determination to utilize my time more effectively and enjoy the moments that I have left.


What a nice post, Lon. And a great thought about using your time more effectively and enjoying life.

I had an appointment with my cardiac doctor today. (Never thought I'd ever say those words or even have a cardiac doctor!) Sitting in his waiting room I looked around me at people with walkers and crutches, assistants helping them, two horribly obese, although young-looking women, some sleeping, some with raspy breathing. I wondered what their problems were. Mine was open-heart surgery I'd had 14 months ago and to see how I was doing. Doctor said I am amazing, that my blood pressure was perfect, heart sounds perfect, the surgeon did a wonderful job and he is very proud of me. But talk about a wakeup call!
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Post by fuzzywuzzy »

Lon;1234849 wrote: No one is more aware of time and how little of it there is left, than those of us in the so called Golden Years. As I watched part of today's news on TV and the ceremonies for the presently dead Ted Kennedy age 77, I think to myself, Hmm---he was two years older than me.

As a teenager, summers seemed endless, and now, they pass alto quickly.

Our garbage pickup is every Thursday and it sure seems like every day is Thursday. Does this quick passing of time bother me? Not in the least, but unlike when I was a younger it does give me the determination to utilize my time more effectively and enjoy the moments that I have left.


Be careful not to .."rush" towards death though .
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spot
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Post by spot »

fuzzywuzzy;1235035 wrote: Be careful not to .."rush" towards death though .


Why not?

Either there's an afterlife of some sort, in which case why hang around putting it off?

Or there isn't, in which case since time's finite it makes no difference whether it goes fast or slow, it's still only got one destination and nobody's saving up memories for later.

Whenever people go they'll be missed, more or less. Time's illusory, either there's a limited supply or there isn't. If it's unlimited, are you assuming what comes after is worse? If it's limited, what's the point?
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left. ... Hold no regard for unsupported opinion.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious. [Fred Wedlock, "The Folker"]
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
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Lon
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Post by Lon »

fuzzywuzzy;1235035 wrote: Be careful not to .."rush" towards death though .




The only thing that I rush to is the toilet.:wah:
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Nomad
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Post by Nomad »

spot;1235056 wrote: Why not?

Either there's an afterlife of some sort, in which case why hang around putting it off?


Because this life is filled with endless beauty. Be a shame not to smell as many roses as you can while your here.
I AM AWESOME MAN
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spot
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Post by spot »

Nomad;1235237 wrote: Because this life is filled with endless beauty. Be a shame not to smell as many roses as you can while your here.


I thought believers in an afterlife generally think that what's coming is either significantly better than what goes before, or potentially (for the wicked) significantly worse. Smelling roses, in either case, seems pointless if they're right - I can't imagine it would be much comfort to the residents of eternal hellfire or much of a memory to those wrapped ecstatically in the eternal loving arms of Jesus. You do intend to spend eternity wrapped ecstatically in the loving arms of Jesus, I take it?
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left. ... Hold no regard for unsupported opinion.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious. [Fred Wedlock, "The Folker"]
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
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Snowfire
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Post by Snowfire »

spot;1235311 wrote: I thought believers in an afterlife generally think that what's coming is either significantly better than what goes before, or potentially (for the wicked) significantly worse. Smelling roses, in either case, seems pointless if they're right - I can't imagine it would be much comfort to the residents of eternal hellfire or much of a memory to those wrapped ecstatically in the eternal loving arms of Jesus. You do intend to spend eternity wrapped ecstatically in the eternal loving arms of Jesus, I take it?


Personally no. I'd like to smell as many roses as I can before the light is turned off.
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."

Winston Churchill
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