Did you know that time is a shape-shifter? When we were children it moved so slowly. We thought that Christmas would never arrive or would ask incessantly on a road trip. “Are we there yet?” It seemed like at the time the more we wanted something to hurry up, the slower it was in coming.
And then we somehow become a grown-up and declare, “This year has flown!” or ask “Doesn’t every year get faster?”
One theory suggests that during the slow moving times our brains are processing new information at a phenomenal rate. We are learning new words, games, memories, ways to interact and process the physical world as well as understand our interior world of emotions and spirit. As we get older the rate we learn new things or grab new experiences tends to drop off. Our brains become very efficient at skipping over the things we do repeatedly; walking the same morning route, cooking the same food, visiting the same places. This means we forget them.
So if time is a shape-shifter are there things we can do to bend it? David Eagleman, a neuroscientist from Stanford University has shown in his research that one of the best ways to slow down time is to do something new. “The more detailed the memory, the longer the moments seem to last.’ As such, it seems that even making small shifts in our normal routine can work. Take time to notice a new detail in your environment every day - maybe a new tree, or a sunset. Or perhaps take notes by hand if you are used to writing on your computer or change your exercise route.
Bill Gillard in his editorial this month encourages us at this time of Lent to bring new awareness to ourselves, our relationship with Christ and Easter. Perhaps taking time in prayer, contemplation, reading scripture, being present in the moment or taking on the attitude of a beginners mind we not only access a new perspective from which to view life but give ourselves more time.
This Lent season, find a new way to reflect on the age old story of Christ’s life. As you connect with the details you are choosing to connect to the creative and powerful force of God’s love, healing and forgiving grace that is eternal.
Warmly
Anne Bonnefin
Communications Co ordinator
Community of Christ Australia