In These Changing Times - Daylight Savings Time 2023

Lately it seems like every time I sit down to write something I find myself writing about time. Last time around I shared a story about reflecting back on younger versions of myself through the lens of time travel. This week I'm springing ahead into the future and asking myself whether or not trying to control time is something I can do in real time or whether it's just an illusion. By the way, thanks to all of you who took the time to comment on or reply to my last message. Apparently my thoughts touched a number of you in a special way and I'm grateful for the affirmation of my writing whenever and wherever it comes in! 

This week's message is coming to you on the eve of our "springing forward" into daylight savings time and I can't help but notice how much controversy this topic has stirred up in recent years. There are those who wish we would stay on daylight time year round. Others still wish we had nothing to do with it ever. A few people I know are at peace with the springing forward and back. Last but not least, I've got my friends in Arizona and Hawaii who never move their clocks which leaves me guessing whether I've converted the time of our upcoming call correctly or whether I'll be an hour late! What's your choice? Do you like the way things are with the majority of us switching our time back and forth or do you see daylight time as an outdated nuisance? 

Little know fact...

While our attempt to manipulate time goes back to the beginning of human history, it's only been in the last hundred years or so that we've actually paid such close attention to trying to manipulate when the daylight begins and ends each day. For most of human history the early morning light of summer was critical in that the majority of humans would rise early and begin their labors. It was actually modern day warfare that first introduced the concept of daylight time. During World War I, Germany began observing daylight savings time in an effort to use less fuel by having more daylight in the evening. Other European countries followed suit and eventually the United States enacted the Standard Time Act in the spring of 1918, beginning our long and often controversial relationship with daylight time as a nation. 

Personally, I struggle with the transition from late winter into early spring and typically find the artificial extension of the daylight into the evening that comes with daylight savings to be out of alignment with my true nature. Trying to force the process of expansion that will come with the season of renewal and make it come sooner, to me feels like overwatering a seed in the hopes that it will germinate more quickly. Late winter to me is the time of year when I am still energetically clinging to my soul's desire to continue to hibernate just a bit longer as to save up a more energy for the work that lies ahead, as I rebirth myself into whatever I choose to make anew in the year ahead. 

Speaking about the year ahead, did you know that numerous ancient civilizations viewed the Spring equinox as the beginning of the year? For example, the first day of Spring marks the first day of the first month of the Iranian solar calendar and is often referred to as Persian New Year. Over 300 million people throughout central and western Asia celebrate Nowruz, a 13-day festival which includes activities such as detailed organizing and cleaning, family meals and painting eggs to celebrate fertility. Sound a bit familiar? This festival dates back over 3000 years, long before some of our more modern traditions like spring cleaning and egg hunting ever began! 

So what's your relationship with time like lately? Do you find yourself running through life like you are running out of time or are you hanging onto your more casual paced winter energy like I am? Either way, it's inevitable that times continue to change. How we change along with those times may be the only thing that we actually have any control over no matter what time the sun sets in your neck of the woods. 

If you'd like to hear more banter about seasonal change and springing forward, keep an eye out for Episode #16 of the It's About Life Podcast which will drop next week. You can get the link to the show and subscribe via Apple podcasts right here or at any other of your favorite streaming services. Well that's all for this week. Peace and blessings for a fabulous weekend.

Jim