Time's Arrow

Time is sometimes thought of as an arrow. I have often heard time referenced as unidirectional, just like an arrow: it doesn't move back, and nor does it ever stay in one particular place at any given time. At the same time, the image of the arrow denotes acceleration. Let's face it; at various moments in our lives, we become "swept away" by the forces of time, in much the same way that the tides sweep things up into the sea. These moments of being swept away by moments can be valuable meditative experiences, in the sense that they help a person to see the impermanence of all situations, as well as to learn to navigate those moments in a way that does not require completion or perfection.
   Why do people often become distressed about time? I think it's because deep down inside, we want to be like the barnacle that clings to the bottom of the ship, and wants to stay there forever. There is a nagging sense of holding onto something, or some piece of security, that makes time seem all the more agonizing when it accelerates into an unknown future. If we don't cling to such notions of self or security, then there is no need to worry, and we can move through different times without feeling the sense that we have lost something or are trying to grab something else.
   Navigating time's arrow is a skill, for sure, but it doesn't mean that people shouldn't stop to take a rest. Recently, I have noticed that when I am at work, I get so many interruptions to do new things, that I found myself feeling tired even though the day just started. In those moments, I need to check in with myself to see how I am handling things and what might be a way for me to take on one thing at a time, rather than feeling that I have to do everything at once. While it's good to embrace the challenges of an accelerated work world, equally valuable is the ability to prioritize and rest from the frantic pace.