Time

In 1970, Chicago released the hit song, "Does anybody really know what time it is?"  Spending time in SE Asia makes me think about how Americans use time. We have a penchant for organization and efficiency, which leaves no time for spontaneity. We live by the clock, go to bed and get up at a certain time. Eat three times a day. We live as if every second counts because we hate to waste time. We punch time clocks because time is money. We have some free time. Time flies. We are on time (or not). Time, time, time! Does anybody really know what time it is?

I suppose we can thank the industrial revolution for making us a slave to time. But there is one segment of America that marches to the beat of a different drummer - farmers. The slower pace of life is one reason why so many people disdain the country. It's as if we love to be busy. We all depend on farmers, but most of us don't know any of them personally. Nor do we really want to. 

Thomas Jefferson once envisioned America as a land of small farmers. I think he would really like people in SE Asia, for many are farmers. They have time to plant, harvest, and sell. But they also have time to think, and get to know their neighbors. They have time to cook and eat their own food. Some can actually enjoy life, despite not making much money.

If you want to know what America was like long ago, then visit SE Asia. It's as if the place is frozen in time. Although the language is different, farmers here are doing many of the same things we once did. It's refreshing and saddening. What do they have and what have we lost? Time.