Time vs Timing
time
tīm/
noun
1.
the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.
timing
ˈtīmiNG/
noun
the choice, judgment, or control of when something should be done
Time versus timing. It's a funny concept. You'd assume they are just two variations of the same idea, but they are far from that. The definitions by themselves are so complex it's almost a bit overwhelming.
Time is the one thing in life that does not stop for anybody. It doesn't slow down, but it sure does feel as though it speeds up as the years pass. Even though we have 24 hours in every day, doesn't it ever feel like there isn't enough time for the things we love doing?
Now timing is different- timing can make or break relationships, business deals, deadlines, friendships, etc. Timing is associated with fate. The universe aligning the events happening in our lives in perfect sequence to create the person we need to be, not the person we want to be.
Time and timing are two completely different ideas. Two entities that are both unable to be controlled or influenced. They both happen without any regard to what we want from them. We all want time to go fast when we are doing something we don't enjoy, but we want it to slow down when we're having fun- time. We all want control over when and why things happen to us and in which manner it will happen- timing.
Have you ever heard the saying, "right person, horrible timing"? I don't know how to sit with this phrase. I agree with it, but also don't. I am a firm believer of everything happening for a reason. This is where the idea of fate plays an important role in it all. It should never be the wrong time for the right person, right? This is where my idea of soulmates come in and tie it all together. These "right people" have been placed in our lives at the "wrong time" to help us learn something bigger about ourselves. Fate ties everything in our lives (good and bad) together with perfect timing in the manner that is intended for the betterment of personal growth. This can be uncomfortable because there are a lot of questions left unanswered. Then that is where time comes back into play. As time goes on, so do we- until eventually, those unanswered questions suddenly begin to make a little bit of sense.
"Time heals all wounds" Another phrase that isn't so black or white. I can't seem to choose a side to be comfortable enough with. I don't think time heals wounds, it always hurts. Time just does not stop. Consequently, of course you aren't going to hurt the same way you once did after a couple of months go by. On the other side, there is some hurt that just does not go away, no matter how much time goes by. You just find different things to distract yourself with, figure out different coping strategies to make sense of how you feel. I think the easiest way to look at this side is understanding that time is the best solution to realize the things, people, and experiences that really matter. The defining lessons that come from these dark experiences. Learning and growing. Being able to draw a line between determination and desperation. Instinctively, we build scar tissue around our wounds, in a defensive way to protect our well being.
“It's being here now that's important. There's no past and there's no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can't relive it; and we can hope for the future, but we don't know if there is one.” ― George Harrison