I had a funny and enlightening conversation about time with the concierge at a hotel in India. I had asked him when the office would be open and he said, “10am”.

When I turned up at 10am he said, “You come here at 10am, because I said it would open at 10am. But 10am might be 11am. Today could be tomorrow. Tomorrow could be today. That’s how time is here. Things happen when the time is right. No problem.” (head wobble).

It got me thinking how bound by the concept of time we can become and how this viewpoint is part of our cultural conditioning. Sure, time is handy for the “efficient” running of our complex lives. But I do like this reminder that there is another lens we can look through … like the more relaxed relationship with time found in many Asian and island cultures, which allows more space for the flow of life to unfold. This appears to enable people to be more present and comfortable in the moment. No rush, no anxiety about a fixed schedule.

Relax, no problem.

Cass x

Photo by Collin Hardy