This is the story of how Billy Joel's "Vienna" saved my life...
My day, just like every other day, was scheduled to a "T". However, when the day came to an end, I still felt very unaccomplished because half the things I thought I was going to complete, I still hadn't even started. Then, in came Billy with his song Vienna, and the first lyrics couldn't have been more of a Hallelujah chorus: "Slow down, ya crazy child. You're so ambitious for a juvenile."
Everything clicked. I was that ambitious juvenile he spoke of. I was trying to do too much, trying to move to fast, and was convinced that if I didn't take advantage of every opportunity now, I would let myself down in the future. However, thanks to this one lyric I now have an entirely different outlook on the essence of time. Let me share with you what the "Billy epiphany," as I like to call it, has taught me...
Time is money, money is time. Time to catch the bus. Time to go to work. Time for a change. Right on time. Time waits for no one. Time, time, time, time, time. Time is such a vital part of our society. We structure our lives based on the clock, and when we fail the clock, we might as well prepare for a tick-tock-take-off to disaster land.
Why is it that we let this measly four letter word take hold of our lives? I'll tell you why. It's because in our society we like to plan, plan, plan and schedule like crazy. We are slaves to the clock. The more productive we can be, the better. We like immediate gratification, immediate results, and immediate answers. Our bodies are naturally inclined to rely on measurements of time because we live in a very demanding culture. But let's face it, ain't nobody got time for time.
If someone is running a minute late, we aren't too hostile, but five minutes? CHEESE AND RICE where are they?! Anxiety has reached a new high. We tend to treat time as if it is our biggest enemy, but we don't have to. Time may motivate us to do the most we can with what we have right now, but it simultaneously robs us of our ability to see the beauty of the present.
I, as many others I'm sure can relate, have grown up an avid list-checker-off-er. I like to measure my productivity by marking things as complete. The problem with this mindset is that we get so caught up in checking things off of our lists that we become robotic time Nazis, when we should be free and easy time sponges. I know, strange analogy but allow me to explain...
In other cultures, the essence of time is seen very differently. They move at a much slower pace, but what's wrong with that? Life is not a race, it's a journey. Punctuality and productivity are some of life's main stresses. They weigh us down and lead us to believe if we can't keep up with their silly games, we are failures. If only we all knew how to take a chill pill. We must channel our inner sponge and soak up each second, because SURPRISE, we'll never get that second back.
Procrastination is one of my favorite words. Why? Because it is one of the most realistic words that will ever exist. We are always going to be playing catch-up, and being "on top of things" will only last a short while until another task is thrown our way. So, my challenge to all of you, my fellow brain-washed time slaves, is outsmart the clock. Learn to use time, don't let it use you.
So, thank you Billy Joel, for those beautiful words of wisdom in your song. Because of these lyrics, I now value time differently and live life more fully.
