Thursday, March 18, 2010

I'm late, I'm late...or am I?

Today, I'm thinking about Time.


I can't believe that it's been almost a year since my sister had her 50th birthday party. I had taken pictures at the party with the intention of putting them all in a pretty album. That was nine months ago. So, I was feeling that my gift was a bit "late".

I am often "late" according to a calendar or clock..but I can't help but wonder if, in fact, I'm not late but right on time?

What if time isn't so linear? What if our lives were meant to be a series of moments...pre-determined in advance...that will happen no matter what...and time becomes irrelevant?

The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali approached time as irrelevant. And like his painting, I often feel that time morphs or melts...and that some moments in my life are outside of time. In dreams, this often happens...we're often outside of time in our dreams -- hopping backward and forward from one event to another with no real sequence other than the message that is trying to break through our subconscious.


I'm not sure that man's current construction of time has much relevance when all is said and done. At the end of the day, it's not likely that I will remember time as an important variable in my lifetime. The bottom line will be...Was I able to accomplish on this earth what I was meant to accomplish...or not? Did I connect with those I was supposed to connect with...or did I miss the boat? Did opportunities come knocking when I was too busy being on schedule that I missed the call?


I just finished re-reading Alice in Wonderland in order to prepare myself for the movie version which we just went to see last weekend. It's fantastic on so many levels (absolutely awesome!! a "Must See"!!). There was so much to absorb and take in that I must go see it again, write about it again...and work out my feelings with my needle.

I am fascinated by Lewis Carroll's concept of time in the Alice stories. The fact that the clocks are broken...and the white rabbit is late...and the March hare is stuck perpetually having tea because his watch is stuck at 6 o'clock.


The hare has become a slave to time and he looks a bit like I do after a calendar week filled with a full schedule of deadlines and activities. Are we never freer than when we have nothing on the schedule??

So then, why have we created the schedule? And is it accomplishing what we want it to do?

Both Salvadore Dali and Lewis Carroll dealt in surrealism -- that which exists beyond reality. And, sometimes depicting that which is not real, sheds truth on reality in a way that realism cannot. So perhaps time has enslaved us all...and we are only late because the clock says that we are.

I believe that we might just be showing up at the right moments, accomplishing what we were meant to accomplish at the time we were meant to accomplish it. And who's to say that showing up late in this time dimension, isn't exactly the right time in another time dimension?


Ahh well, my friends, I was philosophical yet again while I contemplate how late I am with my sister's album. I'll be spending lots of time with the themes from Alice in Wonderland in the coming weeks...

And I have to tell you that I bought the little silk flowers that I used on the album cover from Flights of Fancy boutique. They are a great value for the quality you receive -- 3 all-silk blossoms for $1.50.

I hope you have a great day, no matter how you choose to spend your time.

__________________________________________

Alice sighed wearily. `I think you might do something better with the time,' she said, `than waste it in asking riddles that have no answers.'

`If you knew Time as well as I do,' said the Hatter, `you wouldn't talk about wasting it. It's him.'

`I don't know what you mean,' said Alice.

`Of course you don't!' the Hatter said, tossing his head contemptuously. `I dare say you never even spoke to Time!'

14 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a great post!!! You write very well, and I look forward to reading more philosophical writings from you.

Your sister will love her album.

FlowerLady

Charlotte Smothers said...

It sounds like "Alice" had the same effect on you; "need to work out my feelings" after seeing it. My head was spinning with it all until I "did" something. In my case it was just a paper trinket, but once finished I could move on. I, too, will see the movie again to once more get lost in that strange dream...with Johnny.

Dees said...

Susan, no matter what the time... knowing your meticulous style in needlework, your sister will be so happy with her album even if it came in another lifetime.
Time, what is time? There are those who have suggested we live different lives all at the same time but just in different dimensions of reality.
My favorite Dutch writer, A.F.Th. van der Heijden, wrote a book in the eighties that is called (my translation cause not available in English): Life in one Day. A novel about a dimension in the space/time-continuem (?) in which all humans only live for a max of about 20 hours in which they live a total and full life. There is only one way to escape this life and go to what some describe as heaven and others as hell.... and that is by being sentenced to death. The concept is very strong and the novel can be eerie at times.. wish you would be able to read it!
I too am looking forward to your ponderings on time.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

You are wondering around in my realm. On one hand time IS important. If you want make a purchase, you better be there when the store is open. If you want to keep your job, you better be there on time and don't take long lunches.

On the other hand, why do I have to be at a party at 6 just because the hostess says thats what time it starts. Why can't we eat when we are hungry, instead of noon and 6.

Unless we could live in a world that we didn't need to maintain a job, it would be cool not to have time. Do what you want when you want. Maybe I wasn't put on this earth to do ANYTHING. Maybe I made that up.

What I know is that I live in a world that has time and I have a schedule to follow. I long to live in a world with no time limits. But I bet I would still worry if I had time to do everything I wanted to.

Judy S. said...

Your post was very timely for me, Susan. If you read my post today, you'll understand why..... Someone once said, "Better late than never," and I'll bet your sister would agree. Your work is wonderful whenever it arrives!

Nancy said...

Lately time feels like trying to hold water in my hands- it keeps getting away from me. It's not so much that I have trouble keeping a schedule or being on time- but I feel like I need a longer day to do everything I want to do (like more sewing etc.) And my children- they are growing too fast and therefore time is moving too fast for me.
I lOVE LOVE LOVE the new Alice movie- it is the stuff that dreams are made of. My daughter and I have planned out Halloween already- she is going to be Alice and I will be the Red Queen (my favorite character from the movie.) Of course the large head will be hard to replicate. lol

Wanda said...

I wonder about the same thing...I've often thought I was late or off schedule, only to find that it worked out even better than planned. I think I plan too much. I have too many lists, my schedule is too rigid, I am not very often spontaneous. Even my silverware is on a rotation plan...I TRY not to do that...I try to just throw the silverware into the drawer! But I always go back and get everything all lined up again!! I need practice at going with the flow. My upcoming vacation will give me that practice...3 weeks and we only have the first night confirmed. OH MY...well, at least I can plan out what I'm going to take. I've been working on that for a couple months now and there's still 6 weeks to go before we fly!

Unknown said...

One of the fifth grade boys I tutor has Asberger's syndrome. This week he was obsessed with what time it "really" is, since we switched to daylight savings time. He kept translating daylight time back to standard. I tried to convince him that the time everyone is using is the "real" time, but I don't know. I wonder if the young man has any chance at creativity.

Elizabeth said...

Fabulous post!! Fabulous writin as ever!!!! I do so want to see the movie. have to round up some gal friends who will go with me- my guys are too disdainful of the Great J. Depp to go with me!!!!
I can't wait to see how you do it all with your needles. Love LOve that shot of the March Hair!!!
Hugs!
E

Maureen said...

I went to see Alice last night and read your post this morning. I loved the movie! The March Hare was my favorite - kinda like how I feel I must look most of the time! xo

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, as always Susan thought provoking words. What if there was no time concept, no deadlines which we impose on ourselves and no rush to do this or that.

You always hit the nail on the head for alot of us - yes, sure - we need time in our daily lives for work and school (no good being late and getting into trouble) but (and this is a very big 'but') - why do we impose this onto our crafting - onto our escape from reality - into the place where we allow our dreams to flow unhindered.

I feel at the moment like I am chasing my own tail trying to stick to some schedule that just doesn't exist - putting so much pressure on to do things which should just be allowed to flow and develop in their own time. I've been thinking it's time to pull back somewhat and just think a little more about what I'm trying to achieve with my 'time'.

Thank you as always for putting into words what I am feeling in my heart. It reminds me of the poem 'How do you live your dash'. Your sister will love her book whether she receives it today, tomorrow or next year I am sure :0)

Catherine said...

Love this post! There are many days when I wish my clocks would just pause...just for a bit, so I can take a deeper breath or watch my children just a few seconds longer before all the craziness of life resumes!

Rachel said...

Interesting to hear how many writers and others give Time a personality - Lewis Caroll's Hatter talks of "Him", whereas in Terry Pratchett's Discworld, Time is definitely a woman!

Lynn said...

I used to have dozens of watches. I loved watches - big, tiny, bright, sport, ring watches-- you name it. They were just another accessory and my outfit wasn't complete without the perfect watch.

The very first time I went camping (around 8 years ago), the first thing I did was take off my watch. I didn't plan on doing that. But as soon as I was surrounded by woods and mother nature, it just seemed to make sense. I was now on her "time".

What difference did it make what my watch said? I would eat when I was hungry, sleep when I was tired and wake when my mind did. It was heaven. A true vacation.

I haven't worn a watch since. That's not to say I'm irresponsible and don't show up on time to things. I do check the time quite often throughout the day and never ever am late (I find it to be extremely rude to leave someone waiting).

But there is just a different state of mind when you don't have that time reminder attached to your wrist. I recommend it to everyone.

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