passing the time

Nine days ago, I was on a plane reading A New Earth. The author talks about the illusions of the past and future, and about how happiness is always found in the moment. At one point, he used a quotation from the Bible, “This too, shall pass.” I’d always heard that scripture in reference to painful events…when people lost a loved one, or went through difficulties. He introduced it as a way of perceiving everything. When a baby is born, when you’re laughing with friends around dinner...this too shall pass. All of a sudden, that temporary space in time, takes on more importance.

Three days ago, I was on vacation looking out of this window, surrounded by my family who rarely gets to be together. When the anticipated days finally come, I feel like everything should be monumental. Then I get up to the actual moment and realize my expectations were my imagination (again). And that what’s real is even better (again). And even the grandest of events, are just made up of lots of Sweet Ordinary. A trip to the grocery store together, a good movie, a laugh and a story here and there. What’s grand, is what’s ordinary. And that’s why it’s easy to overlook.

Today I sit here a little melancholy and homesick for my family. Distance between people that love each other, always feels like a waste. It’s like having a million dollars, but not being able to access it. Or maybe it feels  worse. But even in the sadness, I feel a certain contentment because I know I was paying attention while the time was passing. And that's all anyone can ever really do, anyway.

How are you passing the time these days? 

Picture and words by Maile.

Comments

[Arlene]

Oh my, this was a day for passing time. Anything to keep from writing a profile!

http://arlenestarr.wordpress.com/2008/07/23/profiles/

[Marcie]

Lovely image.
Time passes looking at the world thru my camera lens:
http://bravo.unisonplatform.com/~marciesc/index.php?showimage=464
Always aware 'that' this is just a moment..and will 'too pass'.

[laura - dolcepics]

Paying attention while time is passing. That's deep and so important! I cherish every moment I spend with my loved ones and I love that I'm able to document (almost every minute!) these special times. Every moment is special.

http://www.dolcepics.com/dailypic/big-girl-now/

[e.darcy]

My relationship with my husband began as a long distance one. Over 4,000 miles apart. Having to learn that 'This too, shall pass' had such a remarkable effect on everything. The struggling nights we had away from each other-knowing that one day, it'd be all right, we'd be in each others arms...
And then there were the nights that we were in each others arms, afraid to let go-because we would once again be separated.
'This too, shall pass', I think-is to teach people to slow down, to realise that the hardships that we all face will be looked back on in years to come with gratitude, maybe even with laughter. But I think that it is also about not taking things and people for granted...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/edarcy/2685335578/

[maya]

me? i'm moving - http://tinyurl.com/6y9fte

it's slow going. too slow.

spent all our vacation money (and then some) on furniture. it should be here in the next month. until then, where do we sit??

[lora]

i LOVE this photograph you've shared. the flowers, the window. =) Thanks

[~ kristina ~]

Lovely photos and thoughts!

Me, I have a new dog. He's not housetrained quite yet, so we're spending a lot of time outside and playing in the kitchen. I've been thinking about finding a dog for over a year, so it's especially fun.

http://meadowlarkdays.blogspot.com/2008/07/doggone-fun.html

[Wayfaring Wanderer]

Working toward goals is one way of staying busy.......this is my tribute to that.

http://wayfaring-wanderer.blogspot.com/2008/07/moments-lost-in-reverie.html

[Jen]

I wish I was passing the time at a cottage that maybe one day we will own! In the meantime, I'm growing a baby in my tummy and watching my daughter be the sweet and innocent almost 3 year old that she is!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlynn28/2378664172/in/set-72157603830068405/

[Sharon]

This photo is gorgeous. It really speaks to the ease and beauty of summer and a sweet life lived gently. Thank you for the picture and the wonderful words. I am going to go enjoy popping bubble wrap with my boys, knowing that "this too shall pass."

http://www.flickr.com/photos/queenofsheba/2694560070/

[Stephanie]

Time just passes too fast. I have always wished I had a magic time machine that would just freeze time for a little while...slow things down. I feel like I just had my first baby and now I have three and my first baby is 8 years old..whaaaa. I pass time by soaking up those little ordinary moments. It's like I have a camera in my brain that not only captures images, but also smells. sounds, and touch. The shutter in my mind clicks away to freeze the ordinary sweet times in my head forever.

[star8278]

These days I seem to be passing time with photography, of course. Snapping beautiful summer shots as they appear at home, and preparing to sell some prints for the first time. Photography surrounds me and I love it. Here's some samples...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2691581574_5313d8fd23.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2690756969_77c9d36c74.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3086/2683509949_6434d5160a.jpg

[Shelli]

I love your photo. It's funny you should bring up "This Too Shall Pass." I wrote a blog post with that title recently.

I've been passing my days doing the daily routine, but it's also getting interrupted a lot with a busy summer. It's nice when I have a chance to just observe the shadows on the wall:

http://web.mac.com/pabis/Mama_of_Letters/Blog/Entries/2008/7/23_Shadows.html

[Meryl]

Lately I've been passing time stretched much too thin. There's so little I actually *have* to do, but so much that I *want* to do--take pictures, work on my quilt, blog, various other little crafty and cooking projects, playing in the garden....

[Miss Bebop]

lovely photo, when I have free time I write, read take pictures!!!

[Lauren]

Beatiful and whimsical!

[Maki]

I've got these two to pass the time...

http://outofmy-element.blogspot.com/2008/07/i-chose-to-ignore-my-tingling-mommy.html

[Lan]

i've been chasing pastries: http://angryasian12.blogspot.com/2008/07/chasing-charm-city-bakeries.html

and hitting the farmer's market for fresh produce and flowers:
http://angryasian12.blogspot.com/2008/07/early-sunday-morning-jaunt-to-farmers.html

[mnkathy]

Lovely photo and the story to go with it...so true.

Just got back yesterday from our own little family vacation. Here's what I've been up to...and little else.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25773211@N07/2676359220/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25773211@N07/2695323471/in/photostream/

[Kacey]

I've been spending time enjoying the weather. Opening the windows when at all possible in the cooler morning air. I've been watching the flowers spring into glorious color. Sometimes the ordinary moments of just being are some of the best:

http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2008/07/22/portulaca-paradise/

[Brittany]

i have been spending my monday nights strolling on the beach with this guy.

http://flickr.com/photos/28332747@N07/2643320963/in/pool-sivyers

[ELK]

laundry with memories of her.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/2693899524_b8522bd9c2_o.jpg

[Rachel Parton]

My favorite way to pass time...
http://partonpics.blogspot.com/2008/07/self-portrait.html

[Jenny]

I, too, have been reading A New Earth and have been riveted. So many wonderful insights on the importance of just being and appreciating. I have been "passing" the time lately learning to use a new camera and gardening.

Lovely photos and writing. I love your blog!

Jenny

www.thisgirlandhergarden.blogspot.com

[jfrancis]

Love pays attention
to the space and time
between two hearts.

[elizabeth]

A New Earth is on my to-read list. I wonder if it has a waiting list at the library.

Lovely image and words. My favorite way to pass summer week-day evenings is described here: http://retinalperspectives.wordpress.com/2008/07/15/a-simpler-life-2/

It's so simple, but it feels grand. :)

[Rebecca]

slow days. small things.

http://rebeccasmith78.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-i-have-been-lovin.html

[tracie]

wow beautiful sentiment and shot...and very well timed...I don't think I have spent enough time this summer appreciating the little moments!

like this one

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23084493@N04/2690619135/

[Chris]

"This too shall pass" played a HUGE part this past weekend while on vacation. I passed the time staring at and watching my son sleeping, making sure he was breathing. He had an allergic reaction to something he ate and went into respiratory arrest, placed on a venilator and was air-lifted from the ER to a PICU at Loma Linda Children's Hospital, 65 miles away from where we were in Palm Springs. He's okay now and no worse for wear. I can't say the same for me, though. Sigh...this too shall pass...right??
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeroldssis/2692134574/

[Naomi]

I've been passing the time by enjoying whatever winter sunshine comes my way:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2698335148/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2698335142/

[Maggie]

I have had to remind myself that difficult/ challenging times are temporary. I've also used the phrase, "This too shall pass", to remind myself.

However, I just wanted to point out that this is a phrase NOT Scripture. It is not in the bible.

Just thought you should know.

[Mama]

I'm passing the time by relishing your every word.
I love you Maile.

Mama

[dr lyn]

This post really struck a chord with me -- I passed it along to my entire family -- and all felt as I did. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for your wonderful sentiments....

[Diane Schuller]

I was so inspired by this lovely contemplative post that it absolutely will not shake lose from my thoughts. Finally today, I wrote in response to this post at my blog, Alberta Postcards:

http://tinyurl.com/6oq4ka