Passing Time

Eight days ago, I was on a plane reading part of, 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.

Five days ago, I was on vacation looking out of the car window at these amazing views, surrounded by friends who rarely get 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 hysterical car ride up the mountain, good conversation over morning coffee, 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 for my friends. Distance between people that care about each other, always feels like a waste. But even in those feelings, 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. Right?

How are you passing the time these days?