Life can be very curious and last April I stumbled into this conversation with Jenny Odell. It was the beginning of time showing up for me… nudging me… as I moved through my year with Authenticity. I could not get the conversation with Jenny Odell out of my mind and I have listened to it again and again. I also began to write down the time nudges as the year went on. There were so many of them!
What songs are audible when the wind stops? What has been kept alive in the time snatched from work and sheltered from ongoing destruction—what moments of recognition, what ways of relating, what other imagined worlds, what other selves? What other kinds of time?
What other kinds of time indeed!!
So welcome to my Year of Time! I can remember the first time I heard The Rolling Stones singing about “time being on my side” and I can tell you that at age 63, I no longer believe time is on my side… but rather I have gotten to the portion of my life journey where my time reality is finite. So how can I maximize my finite minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years that I might have left? That is what I want to explore this year… stepping away from the finiteness of time… and perhaps finding moments where I can make time seem less measured!
Of course there is a Mary Oliver poem… right? The quote above is from Mary’s poem, Invitation published in Red Bird in 2008. It advantageously crossed my path in December and I have been reading it almost daily. It is all about the idea of stopping and listening to the goldfinches… finding the time… taking the time… slowing the time… to stop and appreciate the goldfinch song.
Which is ironic really, because the conversation with Jenny Odell is all about trying to find more “vertical” time in our lives where time is very linear… structured… filled.
So I hope you will come along with me as I search for more “vertical” time… and perhaps discover a plethora of other kinds of time.
Why? Well.. the closing words of Mary’s poem perhaps hold the answer:
It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he
wrote:
You must change your life.
Amen, dear Rilke… and so I begin to uncover the delights of time! (and I am so incredibly excited!)
Time. Just keep in mind, that Keith Richards is living his best life at 80 years old. There’s something to be said about that. 🙂 (Although I’m not sure what…)
I’ll have to reread that Jenny Odell conversation but I think time will be an interesting companion for you this year! And a Mary Oliver poem that references Rilke seems like quite a sign. Enjoy your time with time!
Looks like TIME is an excellent choice for you Kat. I am looking forward to reading about your journey.
I know I’m a bit younger than you, but I’ve also recently been reflecting on the fact that my time here does have an end point (even though I may not know when it is), so I think in following your Time journey, I’m going to learn a lot, too. Can’t wait to see where it takes you!
I’m filled right up here, Kat! Very excited for your year. The experience of ‘flow’ came to mind…that whole getting lost in time, time feeling somewhat suspended. Maybe that’s along the lines of ‘vertical’? Sounds like you have great stuff to chew on as your start…Mary O. and Jenny O’D. I so look forward to following along with you in ’24.
This post reminds me of a Pema quote I heard in Sept., (which is informing my next word): “Since death is certain, but time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?”
Here’s to your year!
I think this is great and I’m looking forward to seeing how this plays out for you all year long.
Time is a very intriguing concept. I predict a year rich in reflection for you. Other cultures may have something to offer from their perspectives of time. I have a word too. I’m formulating a post for it.
Fantastic choice and one that is going to compliment my word wonderfully. I look forward to these posts
This is just SO GOOD, Kat! I’m loving this word . . . and looking forward to seeing where it takes you this year. XO