Straight from The Horse’s Mouth

Laura St. John My dad is always saying how quickly time passes. In fact he worries as if he's missing something. Months and years seem to dissolve while he wonders what he's accomplished and considers how much time he has to complete his dreams. If he would sit still long enough (he has more creative energy in his little finger than I have in... you know) he would recognize the range of chapters in his inspired life and see that he still has more goals than the average person. They're not bucket-list types of goals, but real world productivity that he continues to accomplish. Still for most, time flies staggeringly fast, blind to how much we achieve and without regard to where we end up.

Why does it seem that as adults it goes so quickly, yet for children Christmas takes forever to arrive? I've heard explanations, such as when we're young each experience is new and time is required to process information. Kids don't know what to expect and can only wonder and wait. Adults are familiar with the way seasons pass, we pretty well know the routine of a holiday, and nothing much surprises us. When we do the same thing every day, year in and out, life becomes a blur of repetitious routines and time can pass unobserved.

Happily, I've avoided getting stuck in routines. While some people prefer the comfort of familiarity I like to try new roles. There's always something completely different around the corner. It still takes a while for me to wrap my brain around the variety of my days, and routines never have time to become ordinary.

The last year is an exception. Where did it go? THM turned one on November 3rd but it seems only two weeks ago we were hammering plaster and building bookshelves. In my logic, time should've passed slowly. All of it was new to us. There were routines, but mostly surprises. I must be wrong about children's perception and grown-up's experience, unless I'm still a kid and my years of understanding don't count. The past 365 days have absolutely flown. Fortunately, however, I've been writing about our adventures in Buffalo. Without relying on strength of memory I can look back and recount the year in detail. Maybe it's a tired mind that sees time pass so quickly. Having life's experiences written down helps mine.

When we want to check off our real world goals or that bucket list, we have to prioritize our aspirations and push the boundaries of our comfort zones. Time will march on and we'll either rack up accomplishments or find ourselves in the same place, just a year older. Last year the opening of THM was checked off the list. Now it's time to dream up new goals and wonder what the future will bring.