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....So taking a decade to learn how to get into the zone could be a great investment. But let`s face it, most of us simply don`t have the time."

Great article ElidS.  It is commonly known, that when in a "fight or flight" state, time seems to slow down considerably. Many  Professional Boxers speak of this "zone" type state. They say that the "incoming" punches are more readily "seen", or anticipated as a result.

Did you know that pigeons perception of time is very different from us.  They are in the "zone" that you guys are referring to.  To them time moves much slower.  Couple that with being able to see 270 degrees, and you might see how it could be a challenge to catch one in your hands.

Useless information I know, but if I can get it out here, I can make room for more important stuff in my head!

So. Is it "time" that slows down or speeds up, or is it the perception of time? :-) I think we all agree it`s the perception of time.

Cool experiment, done on the Discovery channel I think, involved a demolition of a building and various living things. There was a snail, a fly, a bird, and maybe one other.

The fly had the fastest perception of time, and was able to run away (that flight-fight response Eli mentioned) at the first perception of a change in light. The snail`s perception of time is so dulled down, it didn`t even notice the explosion or resulting shockwave. The shell protected it, and had it been crushed, it had no perception of life and death and wouldn`t know it died.

Now consider a sci-fi story about a shrinking man. At one point, he shrinks out of this universe into a new one, below the atomic level of our universe. At first he`s the same size as the new universe and can`t perceive anything. As he gets smalller, he notices sparkling lights with blazing trails of light spinning around.

The smaller he gets, the more he notices that some of the lights are "suns," and the whizzing trails are planets. Every second of his existence includes hundreds of revolutions of these trails. As planets, each revolution constitutes 1 year.

Eventually, he ends up small enough to be understood as part of a single solar system. At that point, the civilization sends out a space exploration team. They try to contact him, but their words are so fast he doesn`t notice. They slow down their communication to almost a dead stop, in their perception, and he begins a dialog.

It seems the civilization has been aware of something "out in space," that`s existed for eons---countless thousands of years. They thought it was a myth, but now, they realize "he" is real.

Time is an interpretation, forced by the structure of our brain and mind. It`s "God`s way of making sure everything doesn`t happen all at once." :-) But if you want to have it last longer, like it did when you were a kid, learn to savor the moment. Improve your skill in observation, detail, and "noticing things."

That....or smoke some fine Jamaican weed.

Speaking of time . . . I`m still looking for that 8th day of the week.  Has anyone found it?

I also think time flies by for adults because we cram so much into each day whereas a child does not -- or rather, did not when we were kids.  Nowadays, I think our children are too involved and don`t relax and play enough (hey, kindergardeners get homework--that`s ridiculous).

We overbook our lives.  We need to learn to relax.

Jillybeans

(The Beatles bought the rights to the 8th day of the week, but litigation with Michael Jackson has tied up its release in court for decades.)