8-21-2024 8:11pm

EDITORIAL: Time is Fleeting but Today is Long

Nate Weeks Editor

This clock in Downtown Macon is a good reminder that time is always moving forward (Photographer Nate Weeks)

Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got.

Art Buchwald

I have been thinking about time a lot since becoming a father. At first, nine months felt like they would never pass. Worries, frustrations, and anxious moments sometimes slowed days so much that it was hard to tell if time was still moving forward.

But it certainly did, and then our daughter was suddenly arriving. The intense joy of her existence was unbelievable and time seemed to stand still for some precious moments as we rejoiced in her final arrival.

Four months later and it feels as if time is speeding by much faster than before she changed our lives. We have watched her grow so much in such a short time and we see her mind working out new things daily as she continues to constantly and quickly grow older.

The backdrop of all of this has been years and years of particularly contentious political arguments, accusations, and controversies. These days it is difficult to stay away from politics and news of tragedies, frightening dangers, and possible future disasters these days. While I am still joyful every day for the gift of being able to be a father, I still find myself trying to understand what is going on and often by listening and reading about what people on the other side of my political opinion do and think.

No matter what fears are being promoted as valid, it is still as true as ever that time is fleeting. Taking the little time you have and applying it to making your life better, and the lives of those you love better as well, is in my estimation a far nobler pursuit than staying perpetually caught in the strong current of recent outrages and conversation topics (insert Raygun breakdancing gif).

I will keep this short because each of us only have a short time to be here: enjoy your life, try to make it better for yourself and others, and don't worry about the impending dooms that will always be on the horizon, depending on who you listen to.

Regardless of whether the storm clouds ahead are as truly dark as some say or otherwise, time won't wait for anyone to try to make things better.