Dec 31 2008
Resolve
It’s that time again.
Folks (like me) make sweeping resolutions about the things they will change in their lives. I will lose 10 lbs! we say. I will be more organized! We want to be better than we are, so it’s a hopeful act. Well, despite good intentions most of my resolutions don’t last much past February.
This year, though, I think I have a resolution that I can keep. Because I know I can. It used to be a habit. This year I am going to be on time, meaning before time. I am never atrociously late for work events, I just arrive as things are starting, as the meeting is called to order. I get in few minutes after a hair appointment should begin. Worst of all, I tell my family I will be home at 5:00 and I don’t come in the door until closer to 6:00.
My mother is always early. Because she doesn’t drive, she depends on others to give her lifts, and she never wants to keep people waiting. I have an imprinted memory of her leaning out the back door, looking down the driveway, ready to jump out and trot off with someone. For her, being late is discourteous because you are really saying your time is more valuable than another’s. A neighbour’s saying, “on time is late” really says the same thing. Arriving before “on time” gives you time to meet, greet, and honour the people you are spending time with. I need to re-remember that.
I know this, but have forgotten it. I have dropped the habit of punctuality that was part of my bones for my early years. So time for a change. I am going to show those I know (family, colleagues, and the businesses I frequent) that I value them enough to be on time.
Image: In Search of Lost Time by Bogenfreund
5 responses so far
Create a free edublog to get your own comment avatar (and more!)
Happy New Year Jan!
I laud you for your determination to be punctual. I think the reason that we are often a little “late” is that we’re trying to squeeze too much into our days. So, I guess something has to give somewhere.
My beef is with folks who don’t keep accurate time. I normally know exactly what time it is–to the second. When someone starts an event, and relies on a clock or watch that is fast, I don’t like being made to feel as though I’m late–even when I arrive a couple of minutes early.
All the best to you in the new year. I’m looking forward to coming back to your exciting classroom.
–Paul
[Reply]
Paul, one of the on-going jokes (challenges?) in our school is that none of the clocks shows the same time. We seem to get them “aligned” right about the week we go through another time change. I am a big proponent of analog clocks, but they are not as nifty at keeping time as digital ones, it seems. Bet your watch is like my husbands-always accurate.
[Reply]
Good resolution!
My internal clock is set similiar to yours. I’m rarely late for appointments, but lately I’ve been getting too close to being right on time. And I’m terribly guilty of the late arrival home from work, too. My husband tells me that when I say I’ll be home at 4:30, what I really mean is that I’ll be home around 5:00.
I agree with Paul that being late is connected to being busy. I know that I’m too busy, but I like staying busy – I’d be bored otherwise. And I do work hard to maintain a good home/work balance because commitments on both sides seem to spiral out of control so easily!
All that aside, I liked your post because it reminded me about the importance and value of time in connection to respect for others. Good luck with your resolution!
[Reply]
Thanks, Erinn.
My husband says the same thing, so I am trying to pay attention and show my whole family more respect by working harder/smarter to be on time. I owe them that.
I hope you caught the tag for the 7 Things post!
[Reply]
Jan, this is something I really need to work on too. After reading your post I realized that I’m usually aiming to be right on time when I should aim to be 5 or 10 minutes early. Thanks for the reminder!
[Reply]