I’m siting in my favorite local coffee shop on a 91 degree day sipping my highly caffeinated and over-priced drink (That I love) and I’m feeling a rush of emotions. However, the one that is most prevalent to me is the anxiety that stems from tardiness. Late. I’m always running late. I’m late on this blog post. I’m late to work. My homework assignment was not turned in on time. I’m not going to college on time. A phrase from one of the teachers that I disagreed with the most in high school is constantly running through my brain: “Tardiness is just not acceptable.” I just can never seem to catch up to the ever-ticking clock of the world. I’ve been like that as long as I can remember. An obstacle always seems to detour me from a task or a schedule.
As a culture today I feel that we are entirely too OBSESSED with time, and time management. “What time is it?” “How much longer?” “I’m running late!” “What a waste of time!” “Just killing time.” “I’m out of time.” “Stall for time.” Etc. We plan our days out weeks in advance. In fact, we plan out our days down to the very hour. What has happened to the simple joy of not knowing what your day is going to be like? Treating every day like a new adventure and opportunity is something that I have been missing in my life lately.
To me what sounds the most appealing about Ecuador is the pace of life. “The Ecuadorian hour stretches much longer than the American,” is the quote that is always on my mind. To step back and embrace the nothingness, and the everything of a second, hour, and minute is what I believe is lacking from the American culture. To be fully present in every moment of the day.
My time in Ohio is coming to a close, and my new adventure is about to begin. I’m going to spend some time in Ecuador. I’ve never been more excited for my time now, and my time to come. I hope to carry this attitude with me for my travels ahead, and for rest of my life.
