Which time would you prefer: “kairos” or “chronos”?

Thank you David, or interviewee 62 (if I refer to my list). Oh yes, I have a spreadsheet. I was listening back to a recording I made last week (I have these too) and was taken by something David said. We were talking about difficult times.

Me: “What helps you get through them?”

David: “Accepting that it will pass, as everything does…any challenge you’re going through in life will pass. Time passes, situations change, people change and what you think one day is absolutely awful and will take an eternity to get through, is gone in 24 hours or in a week’s time.”

Now it should be my turn to respond, but there’s a pause on the tape. I can hear myself thinking. I start up again focusing on the word eternity.

Me: “That’s interesting. So you’re saying that if we’re in pain, physical or psychological, then time actually slows down…?”

David: “True. It certainly feels like it slows down because everything is perceived on a much bigger scale.”

Me: “Then if you’re not enjoying yourself time goes slowly… you perceive it takes longer if you’re unhappy!”

David: “Yes and I need to remember to say that to myself when I’m going through it next!”

We both laughed. But now listening back to it, I’m left thinking about time.

Time is definitely malleable. It depends on our state of mind.