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Sunday, January 31, 2010

As time goes by…


Time is precious. It is a commodity of sorts for which there is no dollar value - except in corporate America, where actuaries place a definitive numerical amount on productivity, potential profit or loss, and even life expectancies.

What activities in our everyday lives carry those numerical figures - cleaning house; answering endless e-mails; shuffling paperwork; walking the dog, working?

All of these things that fill our minutes and hours might be considered distractions, but they are a part of life whether we like it or not. They are the things that keep us focused and sometimes feeling productive, but more often than not, some of these activities cost more than we could possibly imagine because of the way we are kept tethered to them, possibly preventing us from accomplishing creative goals, which give fulfillment to the human spirit.

Such has been my plight. I say this not as an excuse but just a reality for not weighing in on this blog as often as I would like.

I’ve had the topic of “time” on my mind for several days now, when I ran across a remarkable video, which brought everything clearly into focus and shook my brain loose.

What if you could compress time? Keep it in a bottle like the late Jim Croce did with his Billboard chart-topping song?

Carl Sandburg once said, “Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.”

The following video puts time, not in a bottle, but in the frame of a camera lens, provided by Eirik Solheim, a Project manager for the development department at the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation.

Through his photographic art, Solheim shows us just how precious Sandburg’s coin is in terms of how quickly time passes in the natural world.

On Solheim’s web page, he explains in detail the method he used to compress one full year into 120 seconds. I found it to be a curious and compelling process that made me take action on Sandburg’s thoughts. How about you?

One year in 120 seconds from Eirik Solheim on Vimeo.

8 comments:

Jo said...

Omigoodness, that was incredible. You know, this past year of my life has felt like 120 seconds. *poof* It went by that quickly.

As Andy Rooney says, "Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes." That's a good thing to keep in mind.

Anonymous said...

Amazing! I wonder whether trees "perceive" time on some level, and if so, does the passing of one year feel that quick to them?

BarryGillogly said...

It makes me wonder and wish that I could discover how to perceive time as slow as when I was younger... interesting, something to ponder.

Paula Slade said...

Jo, I think we belong to the same club - I too felt the same way about 2009 - it just went in a flash! I love your Rooney quote LOL! :)

Paula Slade said...

Sam, I always think of trees as silent but sentient beings that are in tune with their natural world and the gentle rhythm of life. Time may not have any meaning to them, simply an ebb and flow.

Paula Slade said...

Barry, if you can figure that one out, PLEASE let me know! :)

Gordon~ said...

I read somewhere that time flies when you having fun.
If that is true, then I am having the best time of my life. At this rate this decade should be a party!

Thanks Paula, for the video. I enjoyed it.

Paula Slade said...

You're welcome Gordon! Glad you enjoyed the video. I thought it was pretty special too! Party on guy - the next decade is the best to come and you obviously know how to capture the best in every moment! :)