When Time Meets Space

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When Times Meets Space

I really appreciate the concept of space, be it outer, inner, the distance between us, or how we feel when something that was full goes empty. What’s left is space. In Zen they see things with this idea in mind. For example, if we had a room with no furniture or anything in it, we’d call it an empty room. From a Zen perspective it’s really a room full of space. Which translates into having gained versus having lost. And so, what do we do with a room full of space? We fill it with whatever we want. What if we had a room full of time?

I think of time and space as siblings with time being the favorite and getting most of the attention. We never seem to have enough time and unlike space, which we can create and hold onto, time can’t be held, and we can’t create it either. It’s either used, or it’s gone. And it never stops moving until it does or at least slow a bunch. To observe this requires a different perspective and formula. Space-time is a mathematical model that joins space and time into a single idea called a continuum. This four-dimensional continuum is known as Minkowski space where mathematician Hermann Minkowski facilitated a geometric interpretation of Einstein’s theory of relativity.

I’m bringing this up because I have lately been running out of time to get things done, and in the process have not been able to create any space for a respite – Like a quiet contemplative spot where meditation comes easy and time slows down. We all need to have some quiet time in a quiet space. So to create a meditative space, not only the physical, but the spiritual as well, we have to ask ourselves whether any of the stuff in our life that currently takes up space in our minds and our day and in our garages is really needed. Will all of the boxes of stuff we’ve saved be wanted by anybody when we’re gone? Will any of the space in our hearts or minds that’s been squandered on things that don’t really matter be worth noting in our obituary?  No, it won’t matter when we’re gone and probably doesn’t matter now.

Not to be morbid, but rather to be thankful that we actually do have ways to control the space where we exist; we can spend the time that’s left as we choose. We can reach that elusive dream. There is still time; the space we need to traverse is not always the great chasm, but only a thought away, an instant. And once we think it and believe it, we merge time and space into our very own continuum where Minkowski has been waiting, and the party is about to begin.

Final thought: When we merge our space with our time, when where we are is in sync with who we are, we create magic. So, wherever you are take the time to enjoy.

Enabling Change

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Enabling Change

A Guide to Transformation

A Sixty-Word Short Story: *

Judi struggled with her own beliefs. She always felt that the universe would provide the abundance that she sought. Not just for her, but her family and her business too. She practiced positive thinking, meditated regularly and routinely helped others find their way. Although she felt blessed and empowered, something was missing. The answer was simple. She needed a push.

And more…

Being human doesn’t come with a handbook. There is no set of instructions folded neatly into our psyche when we arrive here. What we do get is a yearning to learn and an innate sense that everything is possible. This is built into our software and can be activated once we know what we want to be. Finding our purpose is the catalyst for all personal change and when we falter with our raison d’être we tend to struggle like Judi in our story. When this happens, we need to recalibrate, reset and realign our thinking with a new goal and destination.

This process requires a transformation and there are five aspects of change that will help us enable and reactivate the power we were given when we were born. They are:

  • Be open to anything. When we’re not open to the possibilities we stifle our own creativity and end up repeating old patterns.
  • Be willing. We can only find the current that will carry us to our new destination by jumping into its flow, making a splash.
  • Be focused. Navigating change means sticking with the dream even though the path may be unexpected or unclear. Think outside the GPS.
  • Be You. Everything we need to succeed we have. Look again within to uncover the special powers only you possess. They got you this far and still work.
  • Be Bold. The best of us is still unfolding. If we stop trying, everything stops. A bold mindset creates energy and activates good karma where opportunity, serendipity and good luck flourish.

Like Judi in our story, we sometimes need a push; a spark. It could come from someone we know, a book that we read, a song that we hear or a memory that reminds us just how special we are – You are.

The Final Thought: Activating positive change is as simple as changing our mind. And changing our mind begins when we open it to the possibilities.

* The Premise (Opening short story): Always 60 words. No more. No Less. 

 

The 1% Club

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The 1% Club

A Sixty-Word Short Story: *

Rick worked for a charity and was travelling with a number of colleagues on a European tour. They had limited resources with no options for getting any kind of upgrades on an airline flight. So, when Rick saw his seat assignment being 1-A, he bragged out loud about being in first class, not realizing it was a one class flight.

And more…

As Rick sat in the first row, the group of ministers passed by him and the head pastor, who had been listening to Rick boast about his first-class seat assignment all morning, hesitated where Rick was seated and quoted a bible verse from the Book of Proverbs – “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” I heard the pastor and busted out laughing, we all did. Admittedly, I think because the rest of the group were sitting in the back of the plane, there might have been a little jealously or perhaps a tinge of resentment listening to Rick. The reality, however, was quite vindicating.

I think it’s good when we experience life in a first-class way. We like the attention and the special treatment, and it can make one feel special. A serendipitous corollary to this is when we encounter good luck and find ourselves feeling blessed and fortunate because good things are happening. This is especially powerful when there is no effort expended yet good luck finds you anyway. This was the case this past weekend when my younger brother and his wife came to visit me.

On Friday we booked a whale watching excursion here off the coast of San Clemente, hoping to see some whales. Having been on this trip before, I told them they may not see any whales at all, but it’s very likely we could see a few dolphins. The weather was choppy making it difficult to spot any whale spouts and for over an hour we didn’t even see a single dolphin. Then suddenly the boat lurched forward, and the captain hit the gas. She had spotted a whale and would not let us be disappointed. What we witnessed up close was a Blue Whale, the largest animal on the planet. Their numbers are dwindling worldwide and seeing one in the wild is extremely rare. Only 1% of the world’s population has ever been lucky enough to see one. We did and it was spectacular, and we even got a special badge stating just that. As part of the 1% club, our good fortune continued all weekend.

When we feel gratitude or blessed, I think it sends a signal out to the universe that somehow, we’re ready to receive some good stuff. Beginning with the whale show, we found perfect parking spots, best view-of-the-ocean dinner tables, complimentary food and drinks, and the Trolly and Ubers showed up on demand. To quote actor Walter Brennen from his TV show Will Sonnett, the Fastest Gun in the West – “No brag, just fact.”

The Final Thought: How we see the world is through our own filter of expectations. Our mind’s eye can see what we seek and has the power to bring it into focus.

 

Waitless

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Waitless

Have you ever thought about the amount of time that we spend waiting? The time we spend waiting for things like a plane, a phone call, a return text or an upcoming event like a graduation or wedding can really add up. Where did all of that time spent waiting go? How much was wasted on meaningless activities designed to help us pass the time so that we could get to that future moment? What if we had all of that time returned to us? What then?

Unfortunately, there is no pause button in life. Unlike a TIVO setting, our lives can’t be stopped and then restarted on demand. Whether we’re wasting time or spending it wisely, time is not waiting for us.

In certain philosophies like Tao and Zen, there is no waiting, because this moment is all there is. Being in the moment is being free of the need to wait for anything. It’s all already here, now; we’re really all “Waitless”. So the question is, now that we know that we can’t stop time, how do we plan on using the time we have?

There is a trick to all of this, and it has to do with how we think and our own individual perspectives. It seems that our mind has known all along that it has the power to change our lives with a single thought. The amazing thing is that we get to choose that thought. And when our thinking is clear in sync with our values and goals we’re rewarded with glorious moments where we feel so alive that it seems that time actually does stop.

So how do we create more of those being alive moments? Here are some thoughts:

Meditate: Just take a few moments and breath in and out slowly. Clear your mind of everything. This is how eastern religions clear their mind of future and past and keep the “monkey mind” at bay. Just concentrating on your breath teaches you how to stay present.

Take notice: If we can change our thinking to a new reality that states, “there is no down time, or waiting” we can free up those moments to dwell and visualize on our desired destiny. Regardless of whatever else may be going on in our lives, there is always enough mind space and time to hold a dream. And dreams can trump worry, which is a whole other chapter on what keeps us from enjoying the moment.

Take action: The best and maybe only way to create what we want is to know what we want and then move toward it. Do something. A small step, a note, a call, anything that gets us closer is good. A good way to start is to do research on the Internet for the words that you have identified are related to your vision.

Live now: Leave the vision switch on when it comes to daily encounters with other things. It helps us stay in a self-empowered mode and it becomes easier to stay focused and not so stymied by the pull of the outside world. And over time, you may discover that the world is also influenced by our thoughts as well. It’s all in how we see it that matters. And that individual, unique, self-realized view that is ours alone is created from the “Waitless” world we live in – the here and the now.

Final Thought: Whatever happens to you, it’s what you do with it that counts.

Szenzone – Stories of life and the power to change yours – is sent via email by request and is published weekly or thereabouts. For back issues or to receive this publication directly please email [email protected]  © Gary Szenderski 2025 All Rights Reserved. Gary is an author, branding specialist and teaches at the University of California in Irvine. He specializes in helping people and organizations navigate change – if you or your company needs assistance contact Gary directly.  Gary resides in Southern California and welcomes your comments.

 

Faith vs. Fear

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Faith vs. Fear

A Sixty-Word Short Story: *

Boris was frustrated with his own word choices. The message had to be just right, but he wasn’t feeling the flow. Every time he read it, he changed something and that change created more questions. What should have been a simple email invitation for coffee was becoming complicated. Although he feared she might reject his offer, he hit “send” anyway.

And more…

Fear is something that holds all of us back from time to time. And after a while the fear that kept us from acting on something, like asking someone a question, or trying a new path, eventually grows into a regret. The regret is placed nicely into our memory bank and every once in a while, pops up in the present to remind us of what might have been. Some regrets are debilitating and can steal away our sense of self-worth, as well as our faith in ourselves and hold us back from new opportunities.

There are two ways to help overcome fear and eliminate regrets. The first is to practice feeling courage in our decisions. Yes, we might fail, but that’s just an outcome and it’s how we learn. The more we control our fear of failing, the more we will succeed and gain from the experience. As Nelson Mandella famously said: “I never lose. Either I win or I learn.”

The other way to overcome regrets is to not create them in the first place and do what Boris did… Have faith. Go for it. Then you know.

Final Thought: We never know until we try is the battle cry of all positive change.

Szenzone – Stories of life and the power to change yours – is sent via email by request and is published weekly or thereabouts. For back issues or to receive this publication directly please email [email protected]  © Gary Szenderski 2025 All Rights Reserved. Gary is an author, branding specialist and teaches at the University of California in Irvine. He specializes in helping people and organizations navigate change – if you or your company needs assistance contact Gary directly.  Gary resides in Southern California and welcomes your comments.