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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | DECEMBER 2025 11 By Annette Hillis, Resident As another year comes to a close, we may nd ourselves noticing how the passage of time, or rather, our perception of it, has evolved throughout our lives. Aer all, "time goes by so quickly," is a common saying for those in our age group. One explanation for this, scientists say, is that our brain's functioning slows, experiences blur together, and fewer distinct events are mentally logged. is produces the illusion that time itself accelerates. In earlier decades, our lives were full of important markers – careers, deadlines, children growing up. Now, for many, those big events have somewhat quieted down. Days blend more easily. e constant chaos or anticipation of something we needed to do or plan for has lessened. It's not that nothing happens, it's that life becomes gentler, less punctuated. Sometimes we have to stop and think: Is it Wednesday or ursday? Certain reliable markers have disappeared. Our identity was built around doing. It was all about our roles, our work, our achievements. Now it's about being present, about reection, kindness, and legacy. ere's a bit of wisdom to glean about the unhurried life. It is noticing what we once overlooked. It is the chance to live by presence, not by pace. It is not about doing less; it is about noticing more and living deeply in each moment, while also trying to nd purpose. But as we age, we sometimes nd ourselves wondering how to go about this. We may even nd ourselves asking and re-asking this ever popular and unrelenting existential question: "What is the meaning of life and am I fullling my life's purpose?" e famous psychologist, Viktor Frankl, knew a lot about that quest when he compared happiness with meaning. In his book, "Man's Search for Meaning," Frankl wrote that happiness is about looking inward. It's about satisfying your own needs and wants. Happiness, without meaning, results in a shallow, self-absorbed life. When things go well, you're happy. When things get dicult, watch out. Meaning, however, is dierent. It's focused outwards, on others. It's about taking care of others and contributing to your community or society as a whole. When we see our purpose as larger than ourselves, we no longer need to pursue happiness. It comes naturally, even in the face of temporary setbacks. Solera Diamond Valley residents are fortunate to live in a community where taking care of each other happens on a regular basis. So, as we transition into 2026, the greatest gi we can give ourselves is permission to slow down, notice the ordinary, and discover meaning. e unhurried life invites us to focus less on rushing and more on what we can bring to the time we are given. is is our time to focus on the essence of our journey, knowing it isn't measured by milestones or to-do lists, but by the care, attention, and love we oer to ourselves, to others, and to the world around us. The Unhurried Life