Does Time Fly?

Time is a funny thing. On the one hand it appears fixed. A minute on my watch equals a minute on your watch.

On the other hand the way you perceive time varies.

Time appears to runs slow when you:

• Are watching water boil
• Are waiting for a bus when you are running late
• Are watching the second finger of a watch rotate.

Time appears to run fast when you are:

• Watching a great movie
• Playing action video games
• Falling in love

I am in the middle of completing a software program – Life Manager Pro. This involves many hours of computer coding and requires lots of concentration. When I am absorbed in this task time goes very fast.

The conclusion that I have come to is that when you are completely absorbed in some activity without any external distractions then your perception of time is that it is travelling fast. The dilemma that I find is that I want  pleasurable activities such as watching an episode of my favourite TV series Lost or playing a great game, to last longer than they do?

So how do you slow down time and stop it flying?

The best way to slow down time is to practice mindfulness. This involves a mental technique of stepping back from an activity. For example, whilst watching that gripping episode of the TV series Lost, start to observe the colours of the trees, the sea, the beach. Watch the characters body language. Be aware of the area that surrounds the television. What you will find is that you are still enjoying yourself, but you have slowed down time.

Mindfulness is also great if you find yourself thinking too much or worrying about stuff. Stop and be aware of your senses, the sound you hear, the colours you see, the touch of your feet on the ground. As your focus of attention away from your thoughts, they will become less intense, less troubling.

There is a knack to mindfulness. You might not get it the first time that you try, but persevere and you will be rewarded.