What Time Is It?

In various traditions, King Solomon is known as one of the wisest men in history. One of his most famous writings is found in the Bible, as the book Ecclesiastes (known in Hebrew as Kohelet). There is a section in the book where Solomon gives one of the most enlightening perspectives on timing. He writes:

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

The wisdom that Solomon gives in these words are golden - there is a time for every life experience. As a goal, we should not force something when it isn’t the time for it. If it is a time to mourn, it would be un-wise to make it a time of dancing. If it is a time to let go, we may do ourselves (and others) a disservice if we try to hold on. It is important not to avoid an experience because of the tension it puts us in. The things we often view as negative, are often opportunities for growth because…its the time.

What time is it for you? Embrace the experience, whatever it is. Chances are, its the time for it.