Wednesday, October 15, 2008

the future is no place to place your better days

I have been such a bad blogger. But I have to admit, I've been avoiding you on purpose. You see, I keep making all of these plans, and blogging about them, and then the plans change and I hate to have to write another blog about the plans changing. For example, I posted that Jose and I were going to open a restaurant. Then the plans changed. Then they changed back. Now, I can say this 100% positively now, there is not going to be a restaurant. And this is why I've been avoiding my blog...because with every post I announce that my life is incredibly indecisive.


But I'm starting to learn that I probably shouldn't be blogging about plans, or even making them. Nothing ever ends up the way we plan...and that's okay (or at least that's what I keep telling myself)....so why waste time making them? I think it's probably because of our very future-oriented culture in the US that teaches us that we should always be preparing for something... for high school, for college, for a job, for marriage, for retirement....we are always preparing for something in the future. Think about it...I bet before you make decisions about ANYTHING, you think about how it will affect the future. Now, this isn't a bad thing...it's always better to be prepared. BUT - is that really the most important thing? Here in Honduras (a present-oriented culture) there is more focus on enjoying the present. This explains why Hondurans (and most latinos) don't feel the need to have schedules and make plans for the weekend on a Monday. It also explains why most people here are late everywhere they go...why does it matter if you're 30 minutes late? ;)

I have found this culture affecting me in a good way. When I was visiting in KY, my mom was always spazzing about something, like being late or not being able to find something she was looking for (it's okay Mom, I was like this too just a few months ago). I found myself saying to her a million times a day..."Calm down! Why are you freaking out?" Now, I have to be honest and tell you that my newfound "calmness" is probably a combination of this new culture AND my anti-anxiety medication. :) But I like to think that Honduras is having at least a small positive effect on me. :)

So what have I been up to for the last 2 weeks? I have been making plans, and changing them, and then making new ones, and then changing those too. But at least someone I know is accomplishing something! Jose got a fantastic job! He is the new Jefe de Recursos Humanos or HR Manager for Gutierrez Logistics (http://www.gutierrezlogistics.com/index.html). It's basically his dream job, and I am so proud of him. :) You see, he didn't feel the need to be constantly making plans for the last 3 months, and his patience ended up being worth it!

"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift - that is why we call it the present."

2 comments:

The Shepherd's Journal said...

I don't spaz - I happen to be a responsible person who realizes that tardiness is unacceptable. My life does seem a little bit out of control lately. Let's see...recovering from rocky mountain spotted fever, helping with two weddings, two showers, two videos; working full-time, helping to pay your bills, dog-sitting Charlie, serving on a busy committee at church, and trying to raise funds for missionary work, and preparing to host guests...let's see, I think I deserve the right to spaz if I want.

Hondurans need to learn to be more future-oriented. I happen to disagree with their present-oriented culture. We all need to be living a Christian life in the present b/c we will be judged by our heavenly father in the future.

Love you! Mom

Hannah said...

Hmm, good luck when you move here!