Time always seems long to the child who is waiting - for Christmas, for next summer, for becoming a grownup: long also when he surrenders his whole soul to each moment of a happy day.

In this quote, Dag Hammarskjold reflects on how time feels differently depending on one’s perspective. For a child waiting for something exciting—like Christmas, the arrival of summer, or the anticipation of growing up—time often seems to move slowly. This sense of waiting for something wonderful can make time feel prolonged and filled with impatience. Hammarskjold contrasts this by noting that time also feels long when a child fully embraces and surrenders to each moment of a happy day, showing that being present and enjoying the moment can make time feel expansive and meaningful.

Hammarskjold’s words emphasize the dual nature of time: it can feel either dragged out in anticipation or enriched when one is fully immersed in a joyful experience. The quote suggests that the experience of time is shaped by the mindset and emotional state of the individual, particularly a child. When children are eagerly waiting for something, the passage of time feels slower, but when they are fully engaged in the joy of the present moment, they are able to stretch the experience of happiness and fulfillment.

The idea that time feels different based on expectation versus presence reflects a deeper truth about human experience. The quote invites us to reflect on how we spend our time and whether we are living in a state of anticipation or truly appreciating the moments as they unfold. For Hammarskjold, presence in the moment creates a deeper connection to life and contentment, whereas living for the next event often leads to a sense of impatience.

The origin of this quote comes from Dag Hammarskjold, the Swedish diplomat and Secretary-General of the United Nations, who was known for his philosophical writings and reflections on life, leadership, and spirituality. Hammarskjold’s work often explored the complexities of human existence, and this quote reflects his understanding of how the perception of time and the emotional engagement with life can profoundly shape our experience of it. It encourages us to seek a balance between anticipation and presence, finding value in both the waiting and the living of each day.