This article was written by Isabella Zheng and Abigail Webster, with contributions from Jasmine Xu, Kailun Sun, Emily Fan, and Tommy Zhou.

There is a general agreement that time has two key properties.

First, it is continuous; time does not stop and start, nor does it dart around sporadically. Second, time has direction and order; it follows a natural progression from past, to present, to future. However, other aspects of time are more open to debate. Is time linear or cyclical? Dynamic or static? How do we differentiate between past, present, and future, or are they simply embodiments of one another? And how do these different understandings of time change the perspectives with which we live our lives?

Ancient Indian philosophers, Hindus, and Buddhists believe in the “wheel of time.” The wheel consists of four repeating ages: Satya, Treta, Dwapara, and Kali Yugas, with each cycle lasting for millions of years. Individuals, just like the universe, go through these repeated cycles of creation, destruction, and rebirth throughout time. This cyclical notion of time is also supported by natural phenomena. Night and day, seasons of the year, tide patterns, and cycles of the moon all exist as repeating cycles.

Thus, in the continuous exploration of time and life itself, we often examine the past to help us develop a deeper understanding of the world and the intricacies of human nature. As Mark Twain is reputed to have claimed, “History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” When analyzing history, we often uncover many similarities; from authoritarian regimes and economic policies to wars and their impact upon communities, we find lessons in the experiences of those before us and seek to refrain from making the same mistakes.

By studying the past, we have unmasked the evolution of humankind, the development of civilization, and our ability to differentiate right from wrong. We can recognize the significance of political structure and societal culture in modernization through Japan’s Meiji Restoration and China’s Hundred Days’ Reform. Simultaneously, we can gain greater insight into the prominent role of leaders and domestic support from the French Revolution and American War of Independence. By analyzing historical events from various political, economic, and ideological viewpoints, we cultivate our ability to think critically from diverse and multifaceted perspectives. History lies at the root of our experience, and only by delving into the past can we truly reflect upon the present and steer ourselves into the future.

History can exist in many different forms and be expressed in various ways: through textbooks, biographies, family trees, and memories. Tracing the past can encourage individuals to strengthen their sense of religious, national, or personal identities, allowing them to recognize the cultural and societal factors that have shaped their community and beliefs. For instance, Pentagon data reveals that around 80% of Americans who enlist in the U.S. military have at least one family member who has previously served. The study of their historical and cultural heritage as well as the past experiences of loved ones motivates them to “continue the honor” and “tradition.” Concurrently, individuals may also pursue studies of historical customs and cultural traditions to carry on unique practices and regain a sense of belonging within a community.

On the other hand, most Western thinkers subscribe to the linear model of time. In accordance with the second law of thermodynamics, all humans age, die, and decay. A dead body does not revive. A shattered glass cannot repair itself. A wilted flower does not blossom. Every moment passes unidirectionally and time runs out. According to presentism, the only events that exist are those in the present. Dinosaurs do not exist, as they belong to the past. Future human inhabitants on Mars do not exist, as they belong to the future. But we exist, because we are alive here and now, in the present.

Thereby, many believe in “carpe diem” or “seizing the day,” to live in the present and make the most of our current state. Although we do not forget our past or ignore the consequences of our actions, we can focus on the present without being weighed down by thoughts of then or beyond. Being grounded in the present can alleviate anxiety and worry for the future as well as ruminations or regrets of the past. We become more centered and at peace with ourselves, learning to manage our emotions and surpass grief or pain. In moving along our path one step at a time, we tackle life with an open mindset and no expectations for the future; there is no disappointment or comparison of potential possibilities, and we simply live life as it passes.

Living in the present allows us to truly appreciate each moment and recognize the beauty of enjoying life while we can. We learn to be grateful for even the most trivial things and seek to maximize our journey in this world when fully engaged with life itself. We realize that every moment spent worrying about the future or dwelling on the past is a moment lost, and change can only occur if we focus on the present and take our own step forward. By living in the present, we learn courage and acceptance and see life for what it truly is: our journey through time and the chance to leave our own mark on the world.

Yet in a world with so many different opportunities and possibilities, for us to choose the paths we take and sights we see, we often find ourselves preparing for the future in pursuit of goals and aspirations. These ambitions, or perhaps the ideals that drive them, are the inspiration and motivation that propel us to venture onwards and make the most of our chances in life. Whether it is setting SMART goals to attend the college of our dreams or learning to drive and cook in a search for independence, we prepare for the future in anticipation of what it may hold for us once we achieve these goals and the heights we may reach if we truly set our hearts to it. These skills we attempt to master or unique hobbies we seek to continue build the foundations of our life and culminate in the fragments that form who we are in a future world unknown.

Preparing for the future is preparation for truly loving and accepting ourselves, physically and emotionally. It transpires into faith and trust to become our own beacons of light that shine through the darkest of days; it nestles in the familiar comfort of a basic skill that accompanies us during the most mundane of Mondays. As stated by Benjamin Franklin, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Preparation for the future is reflected across a wide variety of different hopes and objectives, but it is the force that pushes us forward and enables us to further ourselves in experience, understanding, and insight, developing as greater individuals within our global society.

However, while analyzing the distinct sectors of past, present, and future, we soon realize that, ultimately, we cannot truly differentiate between them nor the notion of living in such disparate states of time. Past, present, and future all impact us at different levels globally, nationally, and locally, shaping the beliefs and objectives in our lives throughout varying periods of time. Time undoubtedly continues onward, but our present is rooted in experiences of the past and steered by anticipation of the future. Only by balancing these different perspectives can we gain a deeper understanding of time and alter our behavior to seek out our best path as individuals and global citizens. We must reflect upon events and experiences from the past and take into consideration possibilities or endeavors for the future when making decisions in the present. This merging of mindsets serves as a rooted force for individual aspirations, where we no longer continuously chase short-term highs living in the present nor lose sight of our true ideals in extensive preparation for the future.

The same approach is reflected in the actions of communities and countries from all around the world when addressing societal issues, social changes, and cultural awareness. Amidst the flurry of the global pandemic and navigating new approaches to life, we learn from the past experiences of SARS and previous strategies to combat economic recessions. We live vivaciously in the present to fight against the virus and accustom ourselves to this new reality, whilst also cautiously preparing for the future with continuous medical research and expectant economic policies. After learning about the devastating effects of climate change and global warming, we speak up about our beliefs and undertake measures to reduce our carbon footprint, while striving for the long-term goal of mitigating this change with distinct policies in hope of a more sustainable future.

This process continues throughout time in a cycle of evolution and growth, where past, present, and future are only relative to one another. It is through the integration of living in these states of mind that we can truly maximize our time on Earth and the chance that is our life.

Sources:

"Philosophy of Time – Exactly What Is Time?" Exactlywhatistime.com, 2022. http://www.exactlywhatistime.com/philosophy-of-time/.

Agler, David. "Four Theories of Time - An Introduction. " Logic & Philosophy, September 25, 2020. Video, 13:38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6gKXzwrlwI.

Strickler, Yancey. "A More Hopeful Way to Look at Time." Medium, July 5, 2020. https://forge.medium.com/theories-of-time-95783b12323a.

Thompson, Mark. "Here's Why the U.S. Military Is a Family Business." Time, March 10, 2016. https://time.com/4254696/military-family-business.