As time winds down on another year, I once again find myself pondering the expression, "don't have the time" and its brother, "can't find the time". Did so quite similarly last year, also in 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003. Everyone says it. Have you thought about what the person you're saying it to thinks about it? Spoiler alert: Do not expect any grandiose conclusions or Earth-shattering insight in this post. The more I thought about it over the last six years or so, the more I realized I still have no position on it.
About the time: A 91-year old person shouldn't take on a 35-year project with hopes of finishing it. He/she probably doesn't have the time. There are also instances where an arbitrary deadline is imposed. Someone called and is coming over in an hour. "I don't have time" to cut the grass before they get here.
Where age or deadline is not a factor, is it really true when someone says that? If so, wouldn't the person you're telling it to know it? There are 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, etc, etc ... (If you get less than that, you're exempt from these foolish thoughts). So, what you're really saying is, "I don't wish to use my time that way". To say it that way, of course, is kind of rude so we say, "I don't have the time" instead.
A task could/should be done and both of us are capable of doing it. I tell you, "I don't have the time". How should you react to that? Is my time more valuable than yours? Am I implying that you DO have the time? Am I simply saying I don't want to do it? Am I over-analyzing? Yes, absolutely, to at least two of those questions.
I planned to add considerably more thought to this essentially self-plagiarized (Auto-plagiarized?) entry after having another whole year to think about what I am trying to say but I have somewhere to go in a few minutes and ...
I don't have time to do it now.
Have a Happy and Safe New Year
AllTheBest,
CrabAppleLane
Quote of the Day
The blue lines are called the, uh, blue line.
Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "A view from the outfield bleacher seats. Not the best location to view the action on the ice, but we don't think the fans will mind."
If you don't have rink-side seats for the hockey game at Wrigley Field, I don't see how you can follow that game at all. -Rob
You're exactly right to question this trend. Most often it's a lame (if polite) excuse. I stopped saying it a while back because whenever someone said it to me, it seemed clear that the speaker was deluding him/herself. Meanwhile, that means there's rarely a good excuse to leave the dishes. dang. Have a great New Year.
I am both observer and participant in that trend, Susan. I endeavor to do better every year. I succeed and fail in that endeavor about equally. And Happy New Year to you, too. :)
Your posts have sensitized me to that phrase, but like you I still catch myself saying it occasionally.
Happy New Year.
I was thinking about you and this New Year topic the other day. I can't remember what the context was, but it was about something taking up my time.
This always reminds me of something someone told me one time when I was complaining about a lack of time. I'm sure I've written it here before. It was something like:
"You have all the time in the world. You can do anything you want. You just can't do everything you want."
It was originally intended as tongue-in-cheek silliness but there is surely a kernel of truth to this yearly diatribe even as my meager attempts to explain it fall woefully short. Happy New Year to you, too, Dave.
Might have to add your thoughts to next year's entry, Kim. Happy New Year to you.
AllTheBest,
Rob