Pity Time

 A Conversation with My Daughter

Me: Aaghnya, you’re wearing your watch on the wrong side.
Aaghnya: Oh hoo… can you teach me how to wear it, Amma?
Me: Show me your hand, I’ll do it.
Aaghnya: Amma, is the watch showing the right time?
Me: Let me check… yes, it is.
Aaghnya: Amma… I pity time! It’s running without a break. Morning, afternoon, evening, night… again morning. Days, weeks, months, years… hoooofff… pity time.
Me: !!!!

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My Reflection: "Pity Time"

Her little words stopped me. I was stunned for a moment.

We, as adults, often complain that “time is running out,” or sigh saying “I wasted so much time.” But have we ever paused and felt pity for time itself?

Time… it never stops. It doesn’t rest. It flows endlessly — morning to night, day to day, year to year. Without a pause, without a breath.

Yet, instead of cherishing its constancy, we complain. We hurry. We blame. Sometimes we even curse it.

But my daughter’s innocent observation reminded me of something profound — what if we looked at time not as an enemy slipping away, but as a faithful companion who tirelessly moves forward, carrying us along?

Maybe, instead of pitying ourselves for not “using” time well, we could feel compassion for time itself. We could honor its flow by living more mindfully, cherishing the moments it offers, and respecting its gift.

Perhaps the real waste is not of time… but of the life within time.


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Next time the clock ticks, maybe we can whisper a little gratitude:
“Thank you, dear time, for carrying me forward without fail.”

Meena R Karthik