A few weeks back, our Ingathering/Water Ceremony was enhanced by an amazing reggae ensemble. They provided some powerful music to our ritual. But the most memorable thing about their presence—the thing that has stuck with me and kept me thinking—had nothing at all to do with their musical expression.

There was a moment when we (the UUCC worship leaders) became anxious because the ensemble was rather late in getting started. In the way we perceived time, at least. By our reckoning, events were not lining up with the minute hand on our watches the way we wanted. We felt a bit of anxiety.

But the ensemble wasn’t watching a minute hand on a clock. They were perceiving time a little differently. And the thing I have been thinking about ever since—the thing that has stuck with me since that morning—is a curious idea: What if the way I think about time is all wrong?

This is a challenging idea for me. It’s rather troubling to consider that the way I perceive time could be wrong. I try to begin and end meetings on time. I try to be respectful of other people’s time. I try to manage my time wisely.

And what does that even mean? For me, “managing my time wisely” sometimes means that I try to pack as much into a day as possible without making anyone wait for me past when I’ve said I’ll be somewhere. If that seems like a recipe for stress, you’re spot on.

On better days, “managing my time wisely” means that I allow a little space between commitments, so I can show up intentionally and be fully present.

Honestly, scheduling my time has become a spiritual practice. Allowing time before appointments to center and ground myself. Allowing time after meetings to let conversations settle. When I’m intentional, I can more reliably show up the way I want to with other people.

Maybe that way of managing time is perfect. Or maybe there’s a more intuitive way of being. A way that allows me to tune in differently to my relationship with the world around me. Can I do that and still honor other people’s gift of time? Or does meaningful engagement with other human beings require me to be tethered to a clock?

Like a lot of things in life, I think this may fall into the category of both-and. What’s your experience? Does your perception of time influence how you honor the inherent worth and dignity of every person? Or the way you promote justice, equity, and compassion? Could a different perception of time lead to greater integrity when it comes to those values?

A curious question to be sure.

Rev. Randy Partain