Joel Anderson

6 years ago · 1 min. reading time · 0 ·

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Time: A few thoughts for 2018

Time: A few thoughts for 2018

17032106.jpg“The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present.”--Alice Morse Earle

This morning, as I sat here watching a light snowfall blanketing my home nestled within the the Flint Hills of Kansas, I couldn't help myself and started thinking of the snow flakes and their resemblance of sand falling through an hour glass. 

Just like when I was a kid, I began the impossible task of trying to count each snowflake before they completed their journey to the ground.  A journey that began with their unique creation, their travel through space and time, where ultimately despite their unique beauty they would simply blend with and vanish into the snowy tapestry of other flakes on the ground. 

You see, as I frantically tried the impossible task of counting each flake I suddenly realized that I was so narrowly focused on counting these unique crystallized fractals of frozen water that I completely lost site of everything else around me.

Unlike when I was younger, where I would get frustrated as I focused on the task of counting each flake as it fell, this time became a simple lesson in letting go and reveling in the context of the broader beauty around me.

As such, I would like to share some thoughts with you that I contemplated while watching this mornings snow.

1. Make the most out of every person you know, love and meet during every second, every moment, and every “present” you are given.

2. Within the arbitrary construct of time, there just might be 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a week, ~730 hours in a month and 8760 reference points to time in a year. Then again, maybe we just might slow down and revel in the "present" for what it is and what it has to offer as time waits for “gnomon” don’t you know?

3. The sun comes up. The sun goes down. The rest of what lies within the sunrise/sunset sandwich is really up to you.

Wishing each of you a very Happy 2018.  Embrace each “present” that you are given and make a difference with each step you take or each person that you may encounter within the sunrises and sunsets of your journey!


For other works by Joel Anderson: https://www.bebee.com/@joel-anderson

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author



#gnomon #Joel Anderson #Kansas #Flint Hills #Morse Earle
Comments

Joel Anderson

5 years ago #22

The same could be said for day to day operations, meetings, strategy sessions etc. If not, then the entity remains fixed, stagnant and unwilling to adapt, modify and/or make necessary changes to remain relevant. Look at Kodak. These triangles/pyramids come from different walks of life. Some of the triangles/pyramids are young. Some triangles/pyramids old. Some triangles/pyramids are in between. There are current, near and long term things that are dynamic and constantly evolving. If for no other reason—time waits for “gnomon.” In the broader scope of things time is an unbending factor in a lifelong journey of engagement, interaction and learning. Arbitrary as it may be, it continues on. You either make the most of it, passively ride it by clocking in and out, or you fail to Carpe Diem. Sometimes the learning is in the moment. Sometimes the learning is over time and a series of engagements and interactions. Sometimes the triangles/pyramids want to play together. Other times the triangles/pyramids can’t, don’t or wont. In some respects my love of life long triangle/pyramid learning started when I was in kindergarten where my teacher Janice Smith told all of us little triangles/pyramids—Together Everyone Achieves More. Today, if someone posts that on the internet it must be true. We didn’t have the internet when I was in kindergarten, but they saying was on a chalkboard, so it must have been true then as it is now. So in the grand scheme of things, as a triangle/pyramid I may be able to stand at the apex for a period of time all by myself. I would like to say that in my singularity, I am the sole factor influencing my destiny, but we all know that is not reality. Eventually it will get lonely and/or I will need to rely on another triangle/pyramid or triangles/pyramids to make the wheels on the buss go round and round.

Joel Anderson

5 years ago #21

So in light of recent comments referring back to the article I would add the following in context to the discussion on triangles/pyramids. There are 11 triangles/pyramids at any given moment on a competitive soccer pitch. Independently each triangle/pyramid has their proper place, position and purpose. Sometimes these triangles/pyramids coalesce and form diamonds. At other times, they form other shapes and formations. There is at least one pyramid in the coach’s box. There are other triangles/pyramids on the bench. Some triangles/pyramids will see action while others will not. Individually each are unique but in and through the synchronicity of action, they become one. This is true for the opposing side and triangles/pyramids of competition. Collectively however, these triangles/pyramids all contribute to the ebb and flow of a game. Individually, collectively and oppositionally. There are triangles/pyramids executing tactically. Triangles/pyramids that in working together ensure the operational effectiveness of the whole during any given moment of the game across the width and depth of the playing field. These triangles/pyramids also are executing and implementing a predetermined strategy that, if effective, can work its way through to the end without any need to change, modify or adapt. That rarely if ever occurs. More often than not, something unforeseen influences or affects that strategy and causes the triangles/pyramids to react, respond or adapt to an external and most likely unforeseen and/or unanticipated action. The triangles/pyramids must respond accordingly. In between halves, all of the triangles/pyramids get together and discuss what has happened during the first half and whether they continue on in the same direction, or modify their behavior for the second half.

Joel Anderson

6 years ago #20

#22
Ivan Campos Thank you. Wishing you only the best.

Joel Anderson

6 years ago #19

#20
and thank you for such a thoughtful and inspiring response. We could use a little more of being one as a whole. Humanity, nature and this ONE EARTH we all live on. Wishing you only rewarding experience along the path. Peace to you on your search for love, kindness, positivity and happiness along your journey. Keep making a difference filled with the promise of joy and wholeness that each new engagement and experience may bring.

🐝 Fatima G. Williams

6 years ago #18

I would love to just touch snow in 2018 a childish wish or a must do you can say. I heard so much about this beautiful white reward of nature. Being a nature lover I always get carried away with sunsets as I'm not an early riser but I did sit up one whole night just so I'd accomplish my task of seeing the sun rise. So Thank you Joel Anderson for sharing that beautiful moment you spend in your winter wonderland and one thing I learnt from your experience is the focus you had and how you viewed the experience as a whole and not just as a part of the whole like we normally do. This is how I want to live every moment going forward. To not get caught up in the moment or the particular task at hand or ahead but to enjoy the entire experience by being one as a whole, along with nature. Wishing every moment ahead with nothing but love and happiness.

Joel Anderson

6 years ago #17

wishing you all the best for a wonderful 2018.

Joel Anderson

6 years ago #16

#11
Thank you Lisa \ud83d\udc1d Gallagher Don't sweat the small stuff indeed. As I watched the snow coming down, for a moment I was drawn to days gone by before I started my attempt at counting the flakes. Days when I was a kid with my mom, dad and brother before my mother passed away. Days playing in the snow. I was drawn to days with my dad, my step mother, my 5 step sisters, my step brother and brother before my step mother passed away. Just remembering the blended family experiences of snowy winters. I was drawn to the day before I wrote this piece and the thought of a picture that my daughter shared on another site. It was a picture from last years Christmas dinner at my in-laws. The picture had my daughter in the middle with her Grandpa Dean (my wife's dad) and Papa "Bob" (my dad). At the time, it was a snap shot in time that simply captured and embodied the love of family in a moment, the importance of these two men and the sheer joy of embracing and reveling in the "presents" we are given. Why did she share the picture. It was a memory of last years Christmas with her two grandfathers. Taken in a moment of happiness and love, not knowing that my dad would pass away in January and my wife's father in August. It is one of her fondest and cherished moments of the presents she had with these two men. Keep making a difference.

Joel Anderson

6 years ago #15

#10
Thank you Debasish Majumder Know that I appreciate your taking the time to read this and share. Funny how something as simple and/or complex as a snow flake can take one down a path of reflection and discovery. I don't know what I don't know but as long as I keep an open mind and a hunger for learning I will continue with an attempt to try and open my eyes to see, open my ears to hear, and open my mind to learn along my pathways and journey to enlightenment: each second, each moment and each present given. Keep making a difference: one step, one person, one "present" at a time.

Joel Anderson

6 years ago #14

#9
Thank you Savvy Raj life, living and embracing indeed. Originally when I wrote this I simply wrote about the snow flakes blending in to a blanket but immediately thought of you and all your great writings and decided to use tapestry as a reference instead. As I looked at the newly fallen snow and the word "tapestry" I thought about the word, its definition and in this moment of looking at the "presents" of snow, its relevance to reality and abstractness. For me all the independent snow flakes that make up the "tapestry" of its blanket on the ground, was a feeble attempt at an analogy to humanity . Keep making a difference.

Joel Anderson

6 years ago #13

#8
Thank you Louise Smith Truly appreciated the recommendation. Keep making a difference: one person, one step at a time.

Joel Anderson

6 years ago #12

#6
Thank you @Ken Boddie I really appreciate your comments on smelling the roses and magnificent sunsets. When we moved back to Kansas we bought a beautiful house overlooking Tuttle Creek Lake and the Flint Hills that has a four seasons room that overlooks both in their majestic wonder. We do have beautiful sunrises and sunsets and since I have made this my defacto office, I enjoy the presents of these moments as I conduct business, check emails, and reading great post and comments from others and excursion down my own path of writing or hacking at keys depending on perspective.. While sitting here, I have connected with some interesting kindred spirits around the world. It has been interesting to write responses or have exchanges with folks who have already experienced their own sunrises and/or sunsets in lands far away from mine. There are others close by who are experiencing the same ones I am. Whether close by or far away, each of us experience these moments from different vantage points and thereby perspectives. As I have engaged with folks around the world, it has been interesting to discover that despite the tyranny of distance and "time" zones, we can still interact and grow together. In some cases, it is sharing the moment of a sunrise or sunset that has sparked a conversation, and shrunk my world just a bit as a result. Wishing you only Peace, Positivity, Kindness and Humanitarian Goodwill along your path and journey.

Joel Anderson

6 years ago #11

#5
Harvey Lloyd Thanks brother and I have enjoyed yours as well. Just so you know, as I was enjoying one of my moments with my wife, we were driving back to our house and all of a sudden she started screaming "Look, There it is! There it is!" OK, so I said "we" were driving. Actually it was me and she about scared the crap out of me. I glanced over at her and she had a huge smile on her face. Me, not being totally amused I asked here "WHAT?" She was pointing and there, in the backyard of one of the houses was a huge Sasquatch with a red, white and green stocking cap on. They have to keep their heads warm don't you know. For all you nay sayers out there, I concede, this one is about an 8' metal rendering of the darn thing. My wife, she just laughed all the way home. :) Keep making a difference.

Joel Anderson

6 years ago #10

#4
CityVP \ud83d\udc1d Manjit Thank you, and yes there still are moments and presents to be had in 2017. Know that I truly appreciate your perspectives, insights and wisdom. Keep making a difference.

Lisa Gallagher

6 years ago #9

A great reminder Joel Anderson, time is short and relish each minute. Don't sweat the small stuff :)) Thanks!

Debasish Majumder

6 years ago #8

nice buzz Joel Anderson! enjoyed read and shared. thank you for the buzz.

Louise Smith

6 years ago #7

You might also like https://www.bebee.com/producer/@phil-johnson/love

Ken Boddie

6 years ago #6

As we rush to optimise the management of our chosen tasks, within the many time constraints we encounter or fabricate, we sometimes miss the chance to smell the roses or to take in the wonder of a magnificent sunset.

Harvey Lloyd

6 years ago #5

To embrace the present would be to see the view of the world with someone else. I know my view, it is within others that i explore new and different present moments. I have enjoyed your 2017 and look forward to a new present moment of seeing 2018 through your views. Enjoy the season of family and blessings and we will both see what 2018 brings in the moment we find ourselves. Seasons greetings

CityVP Manjit

6 years ago #4

Hi Joel, I wish you a happy 2017 because we still have five and bit days left of it. A significant memory is made in a second so personally I am not as invested in knowing the Earth has made a complete trip around the Sun. Then it comes down to what bit of the Sun we think is important to mark that year. I think I heard that it was 29 degrees Centigrade on the weekend in Australia and now it is down to a paltry 20 to 23 degrees - like the weather, time is relative. I was also born in the year of the Rat but my brother was born in the year of the Tiger. That is not really fair because I want to be a tiger. Anyone born in 2018 will fall under the Chinese Year of the Dog. I would rather be a rat than a dog but I did not determine this signage, so I am still celebrating 2017 as if I was new born rooster :-)

Joel Anderson

6 years ago #3

#2
Well said.

Mohammed Abdul Jawad

6 years ago #2

Like an early morning, bright day and creeping night, even human life is all composed of jovial childhood, spirited youth and frail old age. As time goes onwards, there's no way to flip back and fro, and, in essence, what's with us is precious, passing time. Let's spend our lives in virtuous ways for tomorrow we will regret not.

Joel Anderson

6 years ago #1

Thank you for sharing this Laurent Boscherini

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