Keeping Time

Time does pass quickly now. No matter the argument that the clock ticks the same way.  Is it because we have lost some of the energy that at the end of the day we find ourselves with so little done? Or is it because of the many distractions that occupy most of our productive time.  We have become so connected that we are disconnected from some of the essential things we are supposed to accomplish in the day.

We have to program our time and create our own discipline in order to maximize the productive time in the day. Creating a schedule is one. But sticking to it is another. I understand why there are people who get pissed-off when they attend a meeting set at a particular time and end up waiting most of it. The meeting is set at 8:00 a.m. so you brave the traffic and refuse the many calls that come in between just so you can reach your destination to an important meeting.  IMPORTANT, because you also value the other person’s time. Only to end up waiting. You give in to the “culture” of being 15 minutes late. The common excuse of “Filipino time”. But when it goes beyond an hour, it already trespasses beyond “decently late”.

I continue to refuse to adapt the label of Filipino on our tardiness. For the origins of Filipino time show that this was not based on how Filipinos used to value time. The label “Filipino time” was brandished on us when the Americans came and got disgusted over how late people would arrive in an agreed gathering. They knew that it was an influence by the Spanish that brought in the habit.  But the monicker was given to us anyway.                              

When you dig into history, one will note that what was considered fashionably late in the Spanish era was later on a cause of dismay, and anxiety and is to date, a cause of stress. So yes, being late is being late. There are no excuses. From Juan Tamad to Juan Masipag, we have to move from Filipino time to Filipino on-time, as what is sufficiently advocated. We have to stop demeaning our own heritage and culture by subordinating ourselves under the guise of humor, ang Pinoy nga naman, or sa Pinas lang yan.! Only in the Philippines! 

When I stopped laughing at myself for my negative habits, I felt so embarrassed. Being late for instance brought to mind that the person I am meeting with might have the discomfort of thinking that he or she was not valued at all. Although I often get forgiven, I also find myself kicking myself inside for not abiding by the alarm clock that I set to get me to start concluding a previous engagement so I will not be late for the next.

Of course there are acceptable reasons for being late. But just to make a grand entrance somehow, does not sit well with us. Not anymore. So when I am tardy, especially in church, I feel so much guilt, because for such a regular event as church, my hours should already be planned.

In business, time is of value. Banks make money out of time. We all earn for time paid, and not just for the service rendered. On time deliveries move the production lines when it comes to getting our raw materials as agreed. We also are able to send our products to outlets in the time committed and we are able to keep our customers that way.

So as a helper to set my day, I listed my priorities.  Hoping to follow it totally someday.  But someday now has a deadline.  Either I adjust into it this month or I will never get to do it at all.  Committing to change will really take great willpower.

I also realized that as I began to plot my schedule, my priorities surfaced. So there you are, schedules, and commitments mean importance.  So guess how my day starts this time? Prayer. Yes! I surrender my day to God as He orders my steps, and organizes my day. Alone, I am in chaos.