Did You Know There Are Three Kinds of Time?

Hello Empowered Wayers!Have you ever started wondering about something and couldn’t stop? That happened to me recently when I thought about the concept of time.I was staring at the full moon and sharing a text conversation with my husband. I realized that there are different types of time because I was in Paris, France, and he was at home in Texas, a difference of 7 hours.I was looking into his future by 7 hours! He was still in my past because it was 4:00 pm his time. We were on different timelines and communicating in real-time.Think about that. The physical world has its own time.The sun rises and sets at predictable times, the moon goes through its cycle every 28 days, and the seasons change in cadence with the earth’s rhythms.But humans have developed a way to communicate anywhere in the world — instantly. Either by text or phone calls, we can reach anyone in the world with a cell phone or connection to Wi-Fi.I call it Real Time.Events are flashed immediately around the world. News of Queen Elizabeth’s death reached billions of people instantaneously. The invasion of Ukraine is another example of everyone learning of an event at the same time, no matter where they are in the world.We have blasted through the illusion of time. But what are the consequences?Separation instead of connectionWe can see the events of other people and countries in Real Time.It can become troubling when we cast our judgment on another person based on what we have read or seen about them on social media or the news.It’s never the complete story. When you step back from the information and ask yourself, “Does that make sense?” it may create space between the consumption of the information and any judgment of the person.When you blindly accept the news as “true,” you have given your power away. When you don’t question what you read or watch, you become susceptible to manipulation by those interested in separation and division.Instead of forming judgments about what is going on in the world, why don’t we focus our attention on the connection to those around us?Who are you without Real Time information?What you consume impacts your life. Studies show that the incidence of suicides among teenagers is much higher since the advent of social media. The constant messaging of good v. bad, success v. failure becomes too much. Leading to negative choices.What if you stepped away from the news and social media for a day, a week, or even a month? Would the world stop spinning without your consumption of daily disasters or silly celebrities?As you free up time, shift to consuming topics that interest you.Gather information and create something with it. When you feel that spark of excitement, pursue it — that is when you find meaning.After your news and social media fast, notice how you feel. Are you calmer, more centered, and more present? Can you focus more on work and feel less anxious? Those are some of the many benefits of disconnecting from real-time news.Real Time is the present moment, but it gets polluted by the intrusion of negative news, judgmental stories, and contrived events designed to make you feel alone and separated from yourself and others.Besides Earth and Real Time, there is a third kind of time that few people know about.Inner Time is where Your Meaning ExistsWhen you first wake up, don’t you notice that you are in a space of awareness, not of who you are, but who you are being?When you explore Inner Time, that sense of becoming stronger, it radiates out to everyone you meet, and it connects you.We are designed to live from the inside out, but we are taught to live from the outside in.How do you experience Inner Time?Begin a meditation practice. it only takes 10 minutes a day for changes to occur. You will notice that you no longer need the dopamine hit from social media or the news. You will turn away from the lure of group think and begin to see the world from a connected place because you have connected to yourself (and hopefully to a higher power).Instead of divisiveness and separation, there is connection and unity.Because you have changed, your world shifts to reflect your experience of Inner Time. Please join me on Insight Timer to explore Inner Time.Bringing it homeEarth time, Real-Time, and Inner Time. We experience all three, but it is only when you appreciate the differences and impact of each that you can begin to recreate your life.Earth Time is established. We can’t do anything to change it. Instead, we adapt ourselves to it (wearing coats in the winter and bathing suits in the summer).Real-Time can be problematic because it allows you to see into another person’s world. Without awareness of the tendency to judge yourself and others, it can be harmful, divisive, and painful.Inner Time is when you discover the meaning of your life. Only you can decide to explore Inner Time and connect with your Self.The next time you see the full moon, ask yourself who isn’t seeing it because they are in a different time zone. You may uncover even more insights about time than I have shared.To your prosperity,Kathryn This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit empoweredway.substack.com