Enjoy the ride with time

It has been decades since we have been working in the media. We know the places and protocols at the back of our hands. This happens to all journalists, and so with my friend and me.

The journalists enjoy a vast space as part of their work area because there are so many events one has to cover.

So here were two journalists meeting after a long spell. The pandemic had taken reporting to another level with online territory. Attending an event meant dressed in precautionary measures.

Many got addicted to the facial masks, but now if one wears a mask people ask, ‘why are they wearing one?’

But many aspects have changed since then.

Two of the reporters caught up after a long time, and strangely enough the conversation revolves around health. In the past it was unthinkable to have time to spare and most of all choose a topic that is not just health related but actually inquiring each other’s experience on health matters.

It is interesting how subjects of conversations evolve and change with time and health becomes a priority. Soon you become sensitive towards health of your closed ones. We can be cautious and practice good health habits, but time has to keep moving forward and it seems it takes certain elements from everyone.

Time gives too.

Time teaches us that nothing can stay standstill. The river continues to flow until it reaches the destination, but time does not allow to remain so. Soon the water evaporates to change form to be part of the clouds only to come down to the ground and be part of a pool, pond, river, sea or ocean.

And maybe we are also part of a cycle waiting for our turn but we don't know the complete circle. We just know time must move on and along with it everything else too. And time waits for none.

When you are young, we are impatient so much so that we feel teachers and parents are preaching, not knowing they are desperately trying to teach what they have learnt. Maybe to make our lives easier and closer to perfection. But mankind, most of the time, wants to experience it for themselves so children touch the flame to realise fire is hot and can burn.

Then comes a time, after the rush to achieve, experience and do, where we long to pause. Pause we must to slow down the process and take time to inhale and exhale. Maybe at this point we are in control of our emotions - not denying it or having outbursts. Enough to know when to say less, stand up for someone else and just be for others while ensuring you are well too.

But we ought not let the pause be too long, for it might make us lose sight of our journey. Because we have to keep up with the time.

Some go for bucket lists and others list out their responsibilities. A combination of both would be ideal but at this point people recognise that they are in no hurry to please others and almost know what they want in life.

Time reminds everyone it’s importance when people begin to lose others around them. A discussion with a friend ended him saying we cannot have everyone around us all the time. It is the universal truth, yet we take future, tomorrow and today for granted.

Sooner or later we understand we have little time and each one is prescribed their time. And when it comes to time, there is no entitlement. Time treats everyone equal in that sense - no sneak preview or hints, just guess works.

But that does not mean we live in anxiety, but the beauty is in accepting and not expecting. And know Time waits for no one.

It is fine to take it easy but may not want to let time slip away only to regret later on what we did not achieve when we had the health and time on our side.

Life is a journey, enjoy the ride, but be ready with tools and do not forget the regular maintenance service. No matter how well you are equipped, time loves to throw in elements of adventure and it is these experiences that enrich our lives and allow us to grow. But we can take safety measures by expecting the worst. For instance, isn’t this why we wear helmets, fasten seatbelts and take health insurance?

Experience has taught many why savings and investments are important and know for a fact that education and skills are pillars of strong foundation.

In other words it is important to be prepared to ensure a smooth ride and facilitate shock absorbent.

There is no GPS but we can navigate the journey with enthusiasm, optimism and resilience.