"Time is Gold in America"

To Everyone:

This topic  is entitled "Time is Gold in America." Let’s take a moment and ask ourselves what does this really mean.  The last couple of weeks or so I have really contemplated the meaning of this.

Is it always being attached to our electronic devices may it be computers, phones, or televisions being able to access at anytime news, work, or schedules?  Is it working in high paced jobs  60 hours a week? How about those American schedules we better stick to them or the world might fall out from under our feet.

Is this really what makes time golden in America? I only wonder? Yes, Americans are bombarded by media almost constantly and until all of that is taken away we really have no idea. Media is inevitable in America;  I do fully still understand that. But what would happen if our cell phone service was out for hours or days on end? What about power outages...if they were frequent and daily for hours. How would people in America function? Think about working on computers with those types of outages. Let me tell you when you are typing a document the "save" button has a whole new meaning.

So in Ethiopia what does one do when you experience all these challenges regularly? "You go out for chai." At least that is what I do.

Obviously the saying "Time is gold" has a new definition for me.

I don't expect anyone's definition of productivity to change because of American culture, but just be aware that one person's definition maybe very different than another. This is only a suggestion but take the time to treat yourself to coffee or tea, take a journal or a good book with you. Leave at home all your electronic devices... This means ipods, cell phones and computers (Don't just turn them off). Leave all work at home or at work as well. Go sit in a coffee or tea shop and just enjoy the simplicities of life for a couple of hours. People watching can also be a great time passer. I would also say try and make a new friend while at the tea or coffee shop but in American culture this is very difficult. In the world of Ethiopia in a two hour set of time I can make at least 5 new friends.

This is what makes life golden or time golden.  Learning to, even with challenges enjoy time.

Just some other fun life stories of productivity...

It may be making a new kid friend on the street who will in turn protect me from the crazy little old lady in my town.

It may be heading to the market to get a kilo of tomatoes in which I fully misunderstood my tomato lady not realizing the metal weight she has on her scale is a half a kilo and she's going to weigh tomatoes out twice for me.

It may be helping out a fellow member of your community with the internet on his phone and when you opened up his search engine it said, "Sexy Ladies" LOL!!!

Hope all is well with everyone. And always... if you have any good stories to send my way, it is good to hear from people back home... it kind of keeps me connected.

Sham

"Life is tough wear a helmet"