Time after time
It’s one of the great mysteries of life. Without it, our world order would be unimaginable but with it, our lives move in a seemingly linear progression. Once it is used there is no amount of money or influence that, so far, can reverse it. Even though Einstein developed a theory of relativity that describes a space-time dimension that is flexible, in our day-to-day lives, once used, time cannot be recaptured. Stephen Hawking also theorized that time can be bent and manipulated, but in our current reality, seconds, minutes and hours are precious commodities; waste of it is not recyclable.
Infatuation with time is rampant in all facets of our lives. Music tends to reflect the variety of emotions that accompany life; time is at the center of it all. From Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, Chet Baker, Pink, Electric Light Orchestra, Cyndi Lauper and many others, the theme and rhythm of “Time After Time” is ubiquitous. A lament of lost time, loves and choices haunts our memories and serves as a reminder to use the present to our advantage without unnecessary waste.
What has this to do with our political scene? Plenty. Just as personal lives can degenerate into a wasteland of regrets without concerted effort to value and enjoy the present, so too can our political environment. Skirmishes and salvos of dissent without coherence is counterproductive and relegates our lives to the mundane. In a new year, fraught with troubling signs of economic and social upheaval, local civic response can do much to alleviate confusion and anxiety, substituting purpose and design in the place of petty infighting. As new members of councils, boards and commissions take their place, hopefully Father Time, with his scythe and hourglass, will be indicative of a smooth transition without rancor or dishonest dissent.
As with many city councils, Fremont bid adieu to some councilmembers while welcoming new faces to the dais. “Newbies” are often reticent at first to express themselves although it doesn’t take long for their true personalities to be revealed. This is similar to the quip by Mark Twain about understanding the wisdom of those with some experience under their belt:
“When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” – Mark Twain
The importance of using time wisely has always been a challenge for politicians. A dangerous specter over council meetings is the tendency toward lengthy oratory with little substance even as Father Time inexorably treads his path. William Penn noted, “Time is what we want most, but… what we use worst.” Referred to as life’s “coin” or most valuable commodity, Carl Sandberg warned, “Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.”
While it is incumbent on our elected representatives to study, understand and debate issues that fall within their realm, it should also be evident that preparedness can and should result in clarity of purpose and, usually, brevity. One of the most succinct cautions to our elected representatives buried in mountains of detail, who may be inclined to flaunt their knowledge or, unfortunately, display their ignorance, is a quip from a well-known source:
“How did it get so late so soon?”
― Dr. Seuss
Thoughts for a New Year – Jan 1
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”
― Oprah Winfrey
The date printed on this newspaper, January 1, 2019, marks just one “new” year celebration of many. Based on a modification of the time it takes for the earth to orbit around the sun, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian Calendar in 1582. Comprised of 365 days except for the addition of a 29th day in February during “Leap Year” every fourth year (next one in 2010), it replaced the Christian Julian Calendar that did not compensate for a “drift” from observed seasons and the celebration of Easter at the Spring Equinox (equal day and night).
The problem was solved with the change of calendar and deletion of 10 days – Thursday, October 4, 1582 was immediately followed by Friday, October 15! As with any change, it took time for this new calendar to take hold. It wasn’t until much later that most countries recognized January 1 as the beginning of a new “civil” year. Adding to the confusion, during a lengthy period of conversion, two dates were often assigned to documents as “new” and “old” style. It wasn’t until 1926 that Turkey endorsed the Gregorian Calendar as its civil calendar! Gregorian calendar dates are sometimes referred to in the secular sense as “Common Era.” Today, many cultures continue to use the Lunar Calendar, especially in a religious context, based on the cycle of the moon’s phases – full to new – to calculate months, years and significant dates. Some churches such as the Greek and Russian Orthodox churches use the Julian Calendar to determine holiday observances.
The beginning of a new year, whenever celebrated, can be a time of reflection, preparation and resolution. Although it is evident that for most of us many goals and promises are left unresolved during subsequent months, it doesn’t mean that the exercise has no value; the attempt can bring improvement. With that in mind and as a sobering perspective, I defer to the advice of two of my favorite and revered American philosophers to point the way for the year 2019. These folks knew how to separate plain and direct talk from words that simply stir a verbal pot of misdirection and nonsense. I will try to follow their advice as well as urge our politicians to reflect on their sage advice.
“Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know “why” I look this way. I’ve traveled a long way and some of the roads weren’t paved.”
― Will Rogers
“It is better for someone to think you're a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”
― Will Rogers
“Things ain't what they used to be and probably never was.”
― Will Rogers
“Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.”
― Will Rogers
“Never miss a good chance to shut up.”
― Will Rogers
You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you are going, because you might not get there.
‒ Yogi Berra
It was impossible to get a conversation going, everybody was talking too much.
‒ Yogi Berra
If the world were perfect, it wouldn’t be.
‒ Yogi Berra
You can observe a lot by just watching.
‒ Yogi Berra
If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.
‒ Yogi Berra
And…
With a nod toward a new year, new ideas and renewed energy to confront the challenges of a new year, Yogi’s crowning epistle and warning:
“It's like deja-vu, all over again.”