Guest Articles >> Personal Development

Philosophical Value Of Time

The Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, wrote that a man never steps in the same river twice, for it and he have changed. The symbology is poignant as the flow of time is something most take for granted. However, the image of time as a flowing river is something to be understood as many valid lessons can be learned. Heraclitus made a number of notations that did compare time and streams. We should heed his counsel.

Understanding Time

Although we take it for granted, every moment in time is unique. We seem to place great value in items that are unique but fail to afford time the same measure. In the valuation of great works of art and sculpture value is calculated by taking into account the single most important factor that the work would not be reproduced, especially if the artist is deceased. Why is it then that time is not accorded the same calculus. Once a moment in time passes, be it one day, an hour or even a micro second, it will never return. Opportunities when lost, remain lost forever.

Allotment Of Finite Time

In the interest of being thorough, it must be noted that each person, is born with a certain amount of time. While the quantity is unknown, the certainty is that its finite. However, what makes one different from another is the way one uses that time. If one wastes it in idle folly then the results will invariably befit the beginning. If one were to optimize their efforts and maximize the use of their time then the allotment of finite time becomes efficient. From a philosophical view, one can extract the practical use of time and utilize the principles of time passage and use  to daily life.

Applying Philosophical Value Of Time

The crux of the philosophical vantage of time is that time is unidirectional and non recurring. In other words, time never repeats itself and once lost to inaction and ineptitude, it can never be revisited, replaced or harnessed. Heraclitus makes this very clear and from this we depart with the objective to make use of time as best we can. In understanding the use of time, it is also necessary to remember that time must be looked at from an overall vantage. One must not remain myopic in planning one's time.

The use of time and man's understanding of the same has been a gift of evolution over the last few hundred thousand years. For many, to begin to contemplate time in a way that is anything but liner proves difficult as it is, nothing to say of mastering it. However, its principles are simple. Imagine time to be a sack. Then imagine that within the sack one places objects. If these objects are thrown in with little regard to order, the sack will not be able to contain more than a few objects. However, if one arranges these objects in an orderly fashion, more objects can be fit within the sack.  This is the same with time. Time is the sack and the objects are accomplishment of tasks. Be orderly and fill that sack to the neck.

About the Author

Writer and editor Harri Jussila focuses on time management and stress management as a way to help others acheive their goals in life.

Disclaimer:

The above guest post is published based on the premise that it will be helpful and informative. The opinions made within it are those of the author and not of sunnyray.org. The links you may find within this post do not necessarily imply our recommendation or endorsement of the views expressed within them.

Comments:

diesel says:
05-03-2014

I like your sack analogy. Thanks for the info.

Your Comment: