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The Illusion of Time

6/11/2014

13 Comments

 
I woke up this morning and one of my first thoughts was 'oh my gosh, it was a week ago today that I was off to Beijing!' I can't believe it's been a week since I left for my trail race adventure weekend already. It made me kind of sad thinking about how seemingly fast it came and went hey. I know, I know: time is an illusion and there is no 'past' or 'future' as we like to talk/write about, there is only life in the 'now' and here in the present: we have, as humans, constructed these illusionary hours, days, weeks etc. However, it seems to me that when there is something you're really looking forward to and are excited about that this illusionary concept of time simply speeds right up and suddenly that event/holiday/night you've been dreaming about and looking forward to has suddenly been and gone, leaving you feeling a little bereft, or something like that. It got me thinking, 'oh no! Soon my Gold Coast half and quick trip back to Oz will be been and gone, as will our month long caravan tour around China!'

All the more reason to stop and be mindful, and smell those proverbial roses as often as you can. Enjoy every moment of your day. Look forward to your events and plans coming up, sure, but be happy and present NOW.

So, further to this enjoying the moment and smelling the roses ramble so far, here is what we're going to do today, and I'll be enjoying every moment of it: there is a hotel not far from us that has this awesome underground spa area where you can have as many saunas, steams, dips in the Jacuzzi as you wish, before donning some excellent pyjamas of sorts and being led through to a buffet lunch. After this you are then led through to a large room filled with many easyboy/recliners, each with a couple of towels laid out (for blankets or for massages) and a personal TV screen. They sit you down in this pretty dark room, and people bring you tea and plates of fruit while you kick back and relax or sleep if you want. Then you can either start all over again and go back to the steam room/jacuzzi, or simply head back to the buffet a little bit later for dinner, or chill and watch a movie or get on the wifi there. We've got some vouchers that give us '12 hours of rest' there so we thought, why not today?? We are kind of on holiday now after all (exams are finished for us, so no more teaching/classes).

No so much active recovery today then, as it will be traditional restful recovery, haha.

Do you find that time speeds up when you are excited about something? Does it feel like recent months/years have gone by too quickly for you?



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13 Comments
Amy link
6/11/2014 12:33:58 pm

Um, that hotel sounds amazing! I definitely went to places kind of like that in Harbin (needed during the winter!), but not that you could stay for 12 hours and be waited on hand and foot! And you deserve it after your race!

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Lou link
6/12/2014 09:22:23 am

Amy, it USED to be amazing hey! We were so looking forward to it, but it turns out since last year they have all changed, d'oh... We left it too long, boo....

Ooh, sounds great re: Harbin! Can't wait for that then! (We're hoping to finally get there next Jan).

:)

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dawn link
6/11/2014 01:19:08 pm

yes, yes, yes.

i'm a live in the moment person through and through. no matter what though...those moments keep marching onward :)

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Lou link
6/12/2014 09:23:06 am

That's great Dawn! I love your positivity and awesome attitude. Here's to living in the moment!! :)

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The running schlub link
6/12/2014 02:50:53 am

Definitely live in the moment and appreciate everything blessed upon me. Look forward to upcoming events but nothing beats enjoying each moment.

Holy crap that spa thing sounds awesome. Hope you thoroughly enjoy that for us lol

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Lou link
6/12/2014 09:24:41 am

I'm so glad you live in the moment and enjoy each and every moment, even while looking forward to future plans, that's awesome :)

Yeah, we WOULD have thoroughly enjoyed it for you guys, but alas, we were too late - apparently it's all changed since last year. Noooo! :(

Ohwell, enjoyed our day nonetheless. :)

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kristina link
6/12/2014 04:46:16 am

HOLY COW that spa place sounds like heaven! Amazing!

This post is a great reminder. I'm really bad about living in the moment ... I'm always thinking about what I want to do next that sometimes I fail to appreciate what is going on presently. I was particularly bad about it in college when all I could think about was graduating and getting a job and going to grad school. I often wish I could go back and relive those years. But all I can do now is try to appreciate what is going on right now, just like you said!

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Lou link
6/12/2014 09:28:35 am

Oh Kristina, it USED to be amazing! Sadly they have changed it since we last visited and thus there was no amazing spa day for us. Hey-ho, we enjoyed the moment elsewhere instead (cycling around in the sun and eating/drinking :) )

I think you are spot on - appreciate what is going on right now, and don't look back (although have fond memories, banish the bad memories I reckon). I think, maybe this is just me, but by running, we get to appreciate the moment every step of the way, if you get my meaning - I often think of running as mobile meditation of sorts, that allows me to soak in everything going on around me but also to process my thoughts about loads of other crap running through my brain.

Wouldn't it be great if we could go back just for a weekend and relive a certain time period of our life?? I would also go back to college age I think, but with all the things I know now as well.

:)

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Kristina link
6/13/2014 11:43:45 am

Yes! I agree, I'd go back but only with all the things I know now :)

Kim link
6/12/2014 11:02:33 am

I totally feel like time is going way too fast! The past 2 or 3 years have gotten faster and faster - I'm ready to slow time down!!!

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Lou link
6/13/2014 09:56:34 am

Yep, sometimes it feels like 'stop! I want to get off this ride / freeze NOW' :)

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Karen link
6/12/2014 10:06:19 pm

That is so true about time. There are moments in time I wish I could just freeze or slow up...you know the lovely ones. It's a challenge to be active in the moment and find a way to savor it sometimes. I know it seems crazy how long you plan for, train and then the event is just over. You seem to really be enjoying your present and filling it with memories, it's a good thing you blog :) I bet you will really enjoy going back through your posts, I have enjoyed remembering/reliving that way at times. As i get closer to the dreaded 50 number I wish for time to stop rolling along so fast, but i know that's wishful thinking so I am try to create more moments that I enjoy :)

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Lou link
6/13/2014 09:58:53 am

Yeah, I reckon I'll love rereading back through this blog in the future, just as I love rereading old diaries and going through my old photos (I guess one of the reason's I write it perhaps?). But, YES, time (especially good times) goes tooo fast! Would love to freeze time sometimes. :)

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