Or does it just seem so
August 18, 2011 (Thursday)
I started public school in 1937, and graduated twelve years later in 1949. Twelve years.
I retired from the pastorate in 1996, fifteen years ago. Fifteen years.
Two time periods of significance to me. One of them 12 years and the other, 15.
My question: “Why did the twelve years, first through twelfth grades, seem like a long, long time (and still seems so in my mind today), while the fifteen years since retirement seems like such a very short time, much shorter than the twelve years of public school?”
I have read some interesting opinions on the subject. Here are a few theories (I’ve nicknamed them):
1. The “Who cares?” Theory. Not as many new things happen in our lives as we get older. Life seems to fly by because we have “been there” and “done that.” We just don’t take the time to “enjoy the moment” like we did when we were younger, so we tend to let time pass us by. We don’t remember as well as we did when younger, so it’s harder to pay special attention to new events.
2. The Percentage Theory. Each year of our lives is a smaller proportion of our life span as we age; the older we are, the shorter the years (or so they seem). My public school years: 66%. My retirement years: 19%.
3. The Internal Clock Theory. Our biological clock slows down with age, causing us to see events as rushing by.
4. The Focus Theory. According to this idea, we focus on whatever is at hand as we age, and give less attention to surrounding happenings. That concentration tends to make time seem to be moving faster. The effect is much the same as taking naps.
5. The “Busy” Theory. Many people believe that we are busier today and time passes more quickly when we are engaged in an activity. The whole perception of time flying by may be just a result of the busy lives we’re leading, at all ages. This is, after all, the 21st century. The future has arrived.
6. The Peer Pressure Theory. Some people say that since everyone believes time flies when we get old, we tend to say we believe it too, and convince ourselves that it’s a fact, simply because it is the commonly accepted belief. I don’t think I believe that theory.
Studies have been done to resolve this issue, and the results show that there are no differences between individuals in the way they perceive time. An hour is an hour is an hour, regardless of who we are or how old. Many of us would dispute that. Just ask any 5-year-old how long a worship service is.