In "The Time Keeper" by Mitch Albom, the author reflects on the nature of time and humanity's unique relationship with it. Unlike animals that live in harmony with the natural rhythms of life, humans are the only beings who consciously measure time and impose structure on it. This obsession leads to a constant awareness of time passing, creating anxiety and fear that are absent in other creatures that live in the moment.

The notion that people alone experience a paralytic fear of time running out reveals a deeper commentary on the human condition. While birds, dogs, and deer continue their existence without concern for minutes or hours, humans' fixation on time fosters worry about aging and life's fleeting nature. This distinction underscores the burden of consciousness, where the awareness of time can lead to suffering if one loses touch with the present.