Spirituality Nature Time

What I Learned About Time From The Pandemic

Nature is the best measure of time, if you know where to look

Print, Cherry Blossom Viewing, 1797–1858; Ando Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797–1858); Japan; woodblock print in colored ink on paper; Gift of the Estate of Mrs. Robert H. Patterson; 1941–31–266

During the pandemic I learned to see Time.

Time is not the linear countdown of a digital clock. Nor is it the hypnotic sweep of the second hand over a clock face, or the falling grains of sand in an hourglass.

Time moves through the world as nature morphs around us.

If we pay attention, we see the buds unfurl, petals fall, fruit swell and ripen, grass heads sway, leaves spark into flame and snow drifting down like dust motes.

We make too big a deal about solstices and equinoxes. As the earth orbits around the sun one season creeps towards the next, not leaps.

The Japanese measure time in 72 micro seasons of roughly 5 days each. So well known are these that an insect or flower in art or poetry will teleport the viewer to a specific time and place, and trigger a feeling. The delicate and transient nature of cherry blossoms remind you that life is short and precious, for example.

I have taken this to heart during the pandemic. I walk every day and watch time pass.