Answer a few questions about what you read.

Americans are _____________ to get healthy.

not interested in trying
spending a lot of money
cooking, dieting, and eating vegetarian diets

People who practice Yoga ___________.

have learned the techniques from the TV
will tell you that it helps relieve stress
have lost a lot of unwanted weight

The use of gadgets in Yoga are _____________.

advised by great athletes and celebrities
not required to practice Yoga
required when practicing in a group and outside

Yoga teachers say ____________ to help you become healthier.

a strict regime of weight training, diet, and exercise are needed
practicing a series of exercises that use both the body and mind are used
you must forget about junk food, stressful relationships, and television

Pantanjali _____________.

outlined the system for Yoga many centuries ago
traveled to India and introduced the country to his new philosophy
claimed that Yoga only cured high blood pressure and asthma

Yoga relieves stress mainly by ___________.

taking one’s mind off stressful events
improving one’s health
disciplining the mind and body

Time

In his great Victorian novel A Tale of Two Cites, Charles Dickens begins his story with these well-known lines:

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going the other way.

Some might wonder what he was talking about. In fact he was just stating some facts about the way people view time and events differently. Obviously, "time" is always with us and will always play an important part in our lives. No matter how we want to look at "time," it will always be a factor in how we view the world and how the world views us.

The English language is loaded with phrases that express the value of time. "Time is money," "timing is everything," "just in time," "no time," "time it right," "time out," "time and tide wait for no man," "on time," "time on my hands," "timing is bad," "timing is good," "time to go," "time it right," time", "time." We find references to time everyday and everywhere in America. Although we might think that in America we are all in agreement to how we view time, we are not. Regions, groups, organizations, and individuals all have their own concepts of how to view time.

It is a good idea to take a close look at the fascinating concept of time, and examine how it is treated differently in America by various cultures and in different situations. For example, in some cultures time is more relaxed. If you are invited to a dinner party in New Orleans, you should arrive 10-20 minutes after the stated "time." If you arrive at the time given on the invitation you will be considered rude because your hosts will still be preparing and will not be ready to receive you. In other parts of N. America, time is of the greatest importance. If you arrive late for an appointment in Chicago you will be thought of as a little sloppy with your knowledge of timing. The person you were supposed to meet might even leave depending on how late you are. He will give you 10 minutes and then decide that you are not coming. How, you might ask, is one to know exactly how to view and acknowledge time? The best answer is to observe individuals and groups around you and try to view time in the same manner as the majority of people who surround you view time. To do differently is to ask for frustration, complications, and misunderstandings. Some might say, "go with the flow." What is the "flow?" The "flow" is time.

Dickens in his great opening lines had it right. We all can view time differently. Sometimes it is our friend; sometimes it is not. But glance now at your watch or clock. It is ticking. Time will not stop for any of us. Respect time and make it your friend and you may find that it is "the best of times." Do otherwise and it can be the "worst of times."