The Universe works like a flower. It expands as a flower blooms. The Big Bang was the initial emergence of the flower from the bud. Right now, our Universe is blossoming — new galaxies are forming and consciousness is evolving. Eventually, it will hit maximum expansion — a point where sentient beings have evolved to their maximum capacity. Thus will begin a period of contraction, and as the petals shrivel, the Universe will be sucked back into singularity, where the cycle can begin again.
What is time?
"Time is an obsession of the modern man. But I believe it could once be simply described as 'the changing of seasons' or 'when the berries come in.'"
Perhaps, like a flower, the Universe is here to lure a pollinator of some kind. Perhaps we (humans) are the pollinators – here to play with consciousness and fertilize the Universe.