Is time an adversary in hard times?

Today at yoga, our teacher spoke about the concept of time, describing it as an adversary during difficult periods. This notion struck a chord with me, prompting a reflection on the role time plays in our lives, especially during moments of profound grief and hardship. Time, they say, heals all wounds. Yet, in the throes of suffering, time often feels like an adversary, stretching endlessly and magnifying our pain. Each second seems to drag, each minute a reminder of the weight we carry. In these moments, time does not soothe; it amplifies the ache of our loss and the depth of our sorrow. When my daughter Sana passed away, the concept of time became skewed. Days felt interminable, nights even longer. The passage of time, which once brought joy and anticipation, now seemed like an endless void. Each tick of the clock echoed with the absence of her laughter, her presence, her life. In hard times, time can indeed feel like an enemy. It can be relentless, forcing us to confront our grief over and over again. The memories flood back unbidden, the what-ifs and could-have-beens a constant torment. In such moments, it is easy to see time as something to be battled, something that keeps us trapped in our pain. Yet, within this adversarial relationship, there lies a paradox. Time, while seemingly cruel, is also the very thing that allows us to process our grief. It gives us the space to feel, to mourn, to remember. As the days turn into weeks and weeks into months, we begin to find small pockets of peace. The pain may never fully disappear, but time grants us the opportunity to adapt, to find new ways to live with our loss. Time, in its essence, is neither friend nor foe. It is a constant, an ever-present force that moves forward regardless of our circumstances. Our perception of time as an adversary often stems from the intensity of our emotional state. In moments of joy, time flies; in moments of despair, it crawls. The key, perhaps, lies in our relationship with time. Instead of viewing it as an enemy, we can strive to see it as a companion on our journey. Time does not exist to hurt us; it exists to help us navigate the complexities of life. It offers us moments of reflection, chances to breathe, opportunities to heal. We also explored the circle of life today. Life has a way of closing in a circle, a profound thought that deeply resonates with me in relation to Sana. She was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where dear friends Fatema and Ajit were our support as first-time parents. Fatema, who became Sana's godmother, was the one who named her. It feels significant, almost poetic, that Sana was buried not too far from where she was born. Her life celebration was held at Fatema's place, bringing our journey with her full circle. In embracing time and the circles it creates, we acknowledge its power to shape our experiences. We recognize that while it may challenge us, it also offers us the grace to grow, to heal, and to remember. And in that recognition, we find the courage to face each new day, one moment at a time.