Intuition is by no means concrete knowledge, but it is an insight that many of us rely on to make life decisions. A strong feeling about something can sure seem like the right thing and for many of us those feelings guide us through life with a good amount of success.
Knowing the Time
There are some things we can say we know, while others we might think we know. Time fits into the category of a guess if we don't have the tools of measurement like a clock or a watch. Then there is the time that has no actual measurement such as time to leave or time to do whatever it is that needs to be done, but even then we might think we know and in the end be wrong about it. In most cases though, after a lifetime of experience, we can usually develop a reasonable sense about those feelings we get about our surroundings and how they relate to time.
Experience is the best teacher for those who pay close attention. Politicians, business people, or investors all develop an understanding of how their worlds work and what to do when the time is right. They know the time to act or when to show restraint. They know the right time to buy, sell, or patiently wait for a better time to do what they see as an inevitability. Now or later might be dependent on intuitions as much as data analysis.
For each of us we've learned to recognize when the time becomes evident to us as being the right time. If you're visiting someone or at a party you can pick up those signals that tell you it's time to leave--yawning, distraction, or something in the body language that is sending a message. A tactic that I'll sometimes use with guests is that I'll start cleaning up the mess. Usually that conveys a signal to any remaining guests that it's either time for them to leave or to pitch in and help me clean. No rudeness is intended, but I just know the time is up for socializing.
In a relationship we often know it's time to sever ties or at least start looking at whether there is mutual benefit in continuing. When we pursue some venture in life whether a business, a hobby, or anything else that involves a personal investment and we are no longer finding a reward or benefit in our pursuit we might realize that it's time to move on to do something else.
When knowing the time is not a question that is easily answered by looking at the clock or a calendar, then maybe that's the time to look closely at where we are, who we are with, and what we are doing. Maybe our decision will be supported by facts or maybe only by feelings, but whatever we decide when we know the time is likely the right thing to do because we just "know".
Is your intuition about knowing the time usually accurate? What kind of signals do you send to others in order to give a hint that "it is time"? When do you usually know it's time?
Excellent write Lee, there is a time for everything, like the seasons come and go, each has their own routines. As you say relationships are another example, I knew I was in a wrong relationship (being treated badly) but didn't see that it was time to move on until my confidence and dignity was almost gone.
ReplyDeleteHave a good day.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, we live and hopefully learn, but most of all it's best when we survive.
DeleteLee
My intuition is not much better than my clock-watching, but I'd go with my gut feeling rather than any conventionally set limits for time. In my experience it's always better to be proactive about changes.
ReplyDelete'Learn/do something new' every year, and 'initiate/expect a major change' every 5 years are broad thumb rules I follow.
Liked your tip about signalling the end of the party! Neat. Thank you.
Nilanjana
Madly-in-Verse
Nilanjana, I like to be continually learning and to have an ability to adapt to whatever change might come my way.
DeleteLee
Lee, I try to listen to that quiet still voice within to guide me all things but I try to never over-extend a visit at a friends house. After all, I don't want them to wish they'd never asked me to come in the first place. The same thing goes with talking on the phone, I try to not to be too talkative and that's really hard for me to not do because I love to talk. :) The way I found to wind things down by phone is to say, "Well...I just wanted to see how y'all are doing..." This usually works with most people but there are a few who want to hang on to the conversation. But when having visitors I usually do very little to draw the visit to an end. Generally most are pretty good about noticing the time and make a gracious exit. Good subject for today's post! Thanks for visiting my latest edition of Art Sketching Through the Alphabet! Have a good day & happy a2zjing!
ReplyDeleteCathy, I can have some very long phone conversations when I'm talking to a person who is receptive to doing so. At a party I don't want to be the first person to leave, but I don't want to be the last either unless I'm spending the night.
DeleteLee
I am notorious for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time! 'The two most poweful warriers are patience and time' Leo Tolstoy.
ReplyDeleteK day in Amble Bay!
Keith, I've been known to say an inappropriate thing or two in my lifetime as well.
DeleteLee
Good food for thought this morning. Thanks, Arlee. I do try to listen to my intuition. Some changes are hard even when they feel right.
ReplyDeleteMary at Play off the Page
Mary, intuition sometimes speaks so loudly that we tend not to hear it--or don't want to risk what it is telling us..
DeleteLee
I usually get the time right and I can give a rather stern look when it is time for one to get off their arse and do what they said they were going to do.
ReplyDeletePat, now and then a swift kick is needed even though it might be a verbal kick or just the right look.
DeleteLee
I'm not very good at guessing the time. As for the "whens" of life, I've never considered it deeply enough to explain how I know it is time.
ReplyDeletePerspectives at Life & Faith in Caneyhead
Barbara, I'm sometimes surprised by the time especially if I'm enjoying myself. I think we usually just know the time without knowing why exactly we know.
DeleteLee
There's an instinct that kicks in. LIke you said, you just know when it's the right time. When I first tried to switch my blog to self-hosted, it was a snap decision. Right away, it got overwhelming and confusing, so I backed out. Three months later, it felt right and I took the plunge. Unlike the first time, everything went smoothly and here I still am. ☺ As for social settings, starting to clean up is a good tactic, along with looking at your watch or the clock. We often use the dogs as an excuse, (they need their nighttime walk) especially if we want to leave a place early.
ReplyDeleteDebbie D, it's kind of bad when you know it's time to do something but you don't quite know how to get it done. I've been in that situation more than a few times.
DeleteLee
Good thoughts here, Lee. There's a real knack in knowing when enough is enough. I try to be sensitive to the others in the conversation.
ReplyDeleteShirley, sometimes it helps to take our cues from others so we don't carry a weight of responsibility for actions that are taken.
DeleteLee
I can usually pick up and give those signals. The problem is when I've just arrived and feel that it's time to go!
ReplyDeleteFinding Eliza
Kristin, it's an awkward situation when you feel the need to go right away--I've done that before, but not often.
DeleteLee
I'm always the last to know when it's time. I'm bad at taking a hint.
ReplyDelete"May the Great Spirit guide you," said as a fire is put out -- that's one I understand. Directness.
Whenever I try to guess at what might be a subtle clue, I fail. Especially online. As a result, I'm usually the last one standing, or the one rallying the troops who really don't want to be rallied, but some do (probably to be polite). And I end up taking on a lot of extra tasks. Crazy. But sometimes it turns out really well.
Happy A to Z ing!
J -- Co-host the #AtoZchallenge, Debut Author Interviewer, Reference and Speculative Fiction Writer
http://jlennidornerblog.what-are-they.com
J.--in some cases being the only one left carrying a torch can pay off and make you look better in doing it. I have done that on occasion. I have also had to announce that the party is over and everyone has to go--doesn't make me the most popular host when that happens, but sometimes the party really is over.
DeleteLee
Being a HSP, highly sensitive person, I'm very good at reading cues. I'm also likely to be the first one to leave as I try to really honor my limits. But I'm always fascinated at how others read cues. My husband has spinal arthritis and needs to stand frequently and it's always interesting to see how many people think that's the cue they need to leave.
ReplyDeleteDeborah, if I'm about to do something highly noticeable I make an announcement as to what I'm doing or I might say "excuse me while I do such and such" so no one will be confused. I've been at a house before where one spouse leaves the room without a comment and never come back because they've gone to bed. Seems weird to me.
DeleteLee
I usually know it's time after it's time. Sometimes I'm not all that perceptive.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I can be like that too. Unless I'm really looking for an excuse to leave.
DeleteLee
I hate being dependent on someone when I feel it's time to wrap it up but they are my ride. I think I can pick up on cues that it's time to go too.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, I hate it when that happens. That's why I like to drive.
DeleteLee
Oh my gosh, you are so right! It's just like we just got home from visiting my hubby's friend in the hospital and then another couple came and it was getting a little louder & Willie (hurt person) is yawning, eyes drooping, his woman is rubbing his hands with lotion, then feet... he yawns some more the other couple is laughing & making jokes & it's getting louder & so not to create any trouble with nurses I gave my husband "the look"!!! That's our look it's time to go!!! hahaha Happens every time. Great Post my friend! Have a great night.
ReplyDeleteMarie, that sounds like a weird situation, but I've been in rooms like that too.
DeleteLee
I rarely know what the actual time is. I am almost always surprised when I look at the clock. As for intuition mine is pretty good. I try to follow my gut feelings...when I don't there are often problems.
ReplyDeletePatricia, if I don't have a clock to look at then I can tend to lose some track of the time, but rarely are there not clocks nearby somewhere.
DeleteLee
I like the starting to clean up method of signaling the end of the party. Hopefully people will help :) Sometimes even if I'm the attendee, I'll start cleaning when I know I want to go soon. Sometimes my husband gets the hint :)
ReplyDeleteJanet
<a href="https://asmile4ufromjanet.blogspot.com/2017/04/april-2017-atozchallenge-kindly-follow.html”>K is for Kihncert</a>
Janet, I will also help clean if I'm in a familiar environment where I almost feel like a co-host. Otherwise I'll let others clean unless it looks like there's an obvious way that I can help.
DeleteLee
I think subtle cues to get going is used by most women with minor variations. Sadly, the hubbies even after many years of marriage manage to not decipher or just simply ignore the cues....
ReplyDeleteridhik, if husbands are like me they are often oblivious to many things.
DeleteLee
Timing - and getting it right - maybe it's a skill that can be developed if one is open to reading cues from others; but also listening to one's inner wisdom knowing when the time is right. Thanks Arlee.
ReplyDeleteSusan S, some people catch cues better than others while some of us need better hints than just subtle cuing.
DeleteLee
Interesting post, Lee! I do the "clean up" act too, though sometimes to no avail ;-) In terms of intuition as it relates to timing, when the ground begins to rumble it's not a good idea to wait around for the landslide. I'll be back soon as I crawl out of the rubble ;-)
ReplyDelete