Behind you Quote by Ray Bradbury
“For John was running, and this was terrible. Because if you ran, time ran. You yelled and screamed and raced and rolled and tumbled and all of a sudden the sun was gone and the whistle was blowing and you were on your long way home to supper. When you weren't looking, the sun got around behind you! The only way to keep things slow was to watch everything and do nothing! You could stretch a day to three days, sure, just by watching!”
About This Quote
Source Short Story: "The Long Years" by Ray Bradbury, 1950
The narrator describes a frantic race against time, suggesting that by observing and doing nothing, one can stretch perceived time.
In simple terms: Rushing makes time feel faster; pausing slows it.
Key Takeaway
Pause and observe to feel time expand.
Themes
time perception
mindfulness
urgency
control
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- daily commute
- sports competition
- creative work
- stressful deadlines
Key Concepts
subjective time
psychology of attention
narrative pacing
Questions to Reflect On
- How does mindfulness affect your sense of time?
- Can you balance action and observation?
A Different Perspective
Relying solely on observation may not be practical in emergencies.
