Time is an odd thing. Sometimes it pulls me along at such a pace that I can hardly keep up and other times it drags me through the day slower than a stupefied snail could cross Asia. Recently, however, I’ve discovered that time can do a third thing - leave me alone. Time doesn’t tug at me when I am not aware of it.
At home, I am time's slave because I see and hear about it everywhere. All hallways, classrooms, stores, offices, cell phones, computers, and cars have time telling devices which dutifully tick away my minutes. Towns also have bells which keep "watch" over me when I leave the above behind. “DING DONG, DON’T FORGET THE TIME.”
Thankfully, Lithuanians aren't as obsessed with time’s claim on life. Clocks aren’t visible in every hallway or store. They’re not always present in the lower right hand corner of computer screens and bells don't go off every hour. Frequently, the sun even refuses to show her face for fear that I will guess how much daylight is left. The biggest contributor to my "untimely" existence is the absence of my cell-phone. Goodness, I love that I’m free of the thing since Verizon doesn't give me service here.
Let me confess that I am aware of the time when I need to be somewhere - thanks to my little blue alarm clock... Somehow, this tiny machine is more of a companion than a master though. He probably keeps out of the way because he is shocked that I'd carry him with me after he did the horrible deed of waking me up.
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| Here's also a view of our floor kitchen |
Do my musings have a point? Not precisely, but I share them for three reasons. First, so that you might have a reason to procrastinate. Second, so that you can get the flavor of my experience. Third, because I've been struck by the honored place that we afford time in our lives and would like to discover what you think. Judging by time's omnipresence, it seems to me that God must have commanded us to “tie [clocks] as symbols on our hands” and put bells “on the door-frames of our houses and our gates.” Of course, this is not so, but God did command the Israelites to “love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” and to tie this commandment to their hands, doorframes and gates. We are not Ancient Israelites, but this passage makes me wonder if what we have done is right.
Have time to respond? Do it.
Now for some unrelated pictures...
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| Dancing at the Smelt festival. Later I joined the folk dances. |
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| Baltic Sea during the festival |
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| Lithuanian Independence Day |
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| I found my Lithuanian twin at an Independence Day concert. Top, 2nd from left |
Love the post about time. It's true and I especially liked your tie in with Deuteronomy. It's one of my favorite verses... probably because it sums up what we're supposed to do in a succinct manner and I love being succinct. Speaking of which, I have a funny story to share but I guess I'll save it for an email :-)
ReplyDeleteI totally get the controlling nature of time in America. When I was in Australia, time was not as much of an issue. I think people were surprised when was on time. I even had a professor who planned to start the class 15 minutes later than scheduled for the people who had a commute and therefore might not be on time. It was fabulous.
ReplyDeleteELLA THAT'S NOT YOUR TWIN, IT'S YOU MEETING THE YOU FROM AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE, ONE IN WHICH LITHUANIAN IS YOUR PRIMARY LANGUAGE AND ENGLISH IS A SECOND ONE WHOA. The determined chin remains the same, though.
ReplyDeletePedro, after the concert I was going to look for her but I stupidly forgot (I've got to work on my creeper skills). I guess we'll never know the truth. I could ask my parents if they have any secrets they've not shared... And what is this about a determined chin? guess it's true :)
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