Time is a gift, especially when you consider those who don’t have any more of it. How many times have we heard the tearful plea, “Oh, if I only had one more day, I’d spend it with you…”? Time is more important than money, because money can be replaced. You may need time to replace the money—but no amount of money can replenish even a moment of wasted time.
There is one way that a negative aspect can be attributed to someone who adapts the “time is money” way of life. Think about the person who spends his/her time rushing from work to home to church, to errands and not taking a few quiet moments to actually appreciate simply being? Resting? Recharging? We live in an age of “hurry, quick, do it right now, what are you waiting for?” Every aspect of our life is littered with products and ideas promising to “save you time.” But then, in the very next breath, we try to make you feel like a lazy slug if you choose to use the time you’ve saved on something other than more work.
I have yet to hear or read of someone, on his or her dying bed admitting, “I wish I had spent more time at my job.”
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Non-Famous Last Words
The New York Times presented a compelling case of why we should be concerned when a language dies from non-use. I, for some reason, cannot find it within me to worry about it.
Maybe it's because my first (and only) language is English. My ancestors were stripped of their language when they were stolen from their homeland and brought here. Yet, they adapted and even thrived, using the language they were forced to adopt.
What if humans, in a later stage of evolution, communicated ideas to each other through telepathy rather than talking? I feel that as long as the idea is conveyed then that should suffice. I understand that certain nuances inflections would be lost with the lost language, but new nuances and new inflections would take their place, just as they always had.
This whole observation is almost lost on me. People are not static, they are ever evolving, just like language and every other form of communication. What good is an item in your house that you're not using? Throw it out.
Maybe it's because my first (and only) language is English. My ancestors were stripped of their language when they were stolen from their homeland and brought here. Yet, they adapted and even thrived, using the language they were forced to adopt.
What if humans, in a later stage of evolution, communicated ideas to each other through telepathy rather than talking? I feel that as long as the idea is conveyed then that should suffice. I understand that certain nuances inflections would be lost with the lost language, but new nuances and new inflections would take their place, just as they always had.
This whole observation is almost lost on me. People are not static, they are ever evolving, just like language and every other form of communication. What good is an item in your house that you're not using? Throw it out.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Sweden, here I come!
Our teacher Andre asks us what country with a different culture would you want to reside in for six months. It reminds me of a question in "The Book of Questions" that asks what country would you want to live in if you were exiled from your own. My answer to Andre's question is the same as my answer to the one in "The Book of Questions." Sweden.
Why Sweden? The short answer is that Sweden seems to take on philosophies that I've adopted in my everyday life: independence and neutrality. "You do your thing, and I'll do mine. I won't say anything about your shortcomings, as long as you return the favor, and not stick your nose in my business." Now, of course, those who actually live in Sweden might argue with me that the country is not nearly as independent or neutral as it presents itself. I accept that argument; after all, we in America have our imperfections as well, right?
I think that Sweden's paralleling level of technology would sustain me for the six months required in Andre's question. I understand that several hot button issuses such as women's rights, gay and lesbian issues, schooling---primary/secondary/college-level, and health care, Sweden's accomplishments rival and even surpass those of the United States. The internet is there; computers, books, television---all the comforts of home, so, I'm fine in that regard.
I value my solitude, as I am a writer. So, as long as I can have peace and quiet for a good portion of the day, I'll be good. I would probably need to take some of my seasonings with me; I don't know if they have the four types of "Mrs. Dash" there like I have in my cupboard. As long as they have meat, fish, vegetables and a gas stove, I can cook for myself. I'll also need a couple of my Fiction Writing anthologies, my book "The Elements of Style," my Ipod and plenty of blank journals.
I'm quite sure that the things I like would be easily translatable to Swedes; the things I like are simple, basic, and in a lot of cases, require no one's input but my own.
Why Sweden? The short answer is that Sweden seems to take on philosophies that I've adopted in my everyday life: independence and neutrality. "You do your thing, and I'll do mine. I won't say anything about your shortcomings, as long as you return the favor, and not stick your nose in my business." Now, of course, those who actually live in Sweden might argue with me that the country is not nearly as independent or neutral as it presents itself. I accept that argument; after all, we in America have our imperfections as well, right?
I think that Sweden's paralleling level of technology would sustain me for the six months required in Andre's question. I understand that several hot button issuses such as women's rights, gay and lesbian issues, schooling---primary/secondary/college-level, and health care, Sweden's accomplishments rival and even surpass those of the United States. The internet is there; computers, books, television---all the comforts of home, so, I'm fine in that regard.
I value my solitude, as I am a writer. So, as long as I can have peace and quiet for a good portion of the day, I'll be good. I would probably need to take some of my seasonings with me; I don't know if they have the four types of "Mrs. Dash" there like I have in my cupboard. As long as they have meat, fish, vegetables and a gas stove, I can cook for myself. I'll also need a couple of my Fiction Writing anthologies, my book "The Elements of Style," my Ipod and plenty of blank journals.
I'm quite sure that the things I like would be easily translatable to Swedes; the things I like are simple, basic, and in a lot of cases, require no one's input but my own.
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