June 20, 2008
Take time
I once received an email from a friend here in Sri Lanka, who used the line “take time” as the closing line for his email. It immediately caught my eye and made me pause for reflection. How many of us truly “take time” in life? How many of us are really living in the moment, as opposed to thinking of things that have happened in the past or tasks that need to be completed in the future? I suppose it is difficult to completely fulfill this mantra, but it is definitely one for which all should strive.
One strong realization that occurred to me, upon living in both India and Sri Lanka, was that life slows down in these communities. Movements are not as quick, decisions are made in a slower fashion, and an overall feeling of urgency is somewhat diminished. Now this could be due to the overbearing humidity that pervades these areas or it could be because the societies do not have that urgent need to run from one thing to the next. And though it does slow work down and sometimes makes me crazy in my daily interactions with colleagues, it is something I have learned to appreciate. It’s something that I can embrace about the culture that is different than my own, something I have tried to carry out in my own life and work here. It is so easy to become impatient while waiting for a bus, or those two last people who need to arrive for a meeting, or when thinking that you are speaking perfect Sinhala, but are not being understood at all. It all leads to feeling like one is losing precious, productive time that could otherwise be used efficiently.
But that is not it. Those are the times you should look for something new in the moment. An opportunity that you might not otherwise have received. A time for learning about yourself or those who are with you. A time to take for yourself, as opposed to one that you feel should be rushed through.
Praja Abhilasha is in the midst of carrying out island-wide research about land rights. We are focusing on those communities that have been displaced by tsunami, war, and development projects. The research phase of this land rights campaign has been progressing the last three months and will be completed after this month. We will then analyze the information we have received, discern common threads within the issues, and begin the formation of our People’s Land Rights campaign. As part of this research, my colleague, Raajan, and I have gone out on some monitoring visits to the communities in which the research is being carried out. I always enjoy getting out of Colombo and going to the field, as you never know what will happen on these adventures, who you will meet, or what stories you will hear.
During our time in Kurunegala, the northwest central part of the country, we were visiting communities whose main work was in rice paddy fields. These families have spent their lives on this land, working in paddy cultivation. Though they could probably walk the land and work with their eyes closed, some are still struggling with the government to receive deeds and ownership for this land. The government has promised to give them deeds, has come to measure the land for the deeds, but has still not followed through with these agreements. As the families grow, the land must be divided for sons to work and earn their own living, thus creating a crisis in lack of land. Many families have been forced to stop cultivation in some of their paddy fields, in order to use it for construction of houses for the growing families. One can see the downward spiral. This creates a shortage in production, which decreases the income of each family, thereby affecting their livelihood.
We learned about this issue when meeting with one man of the village. He was in the middle of his work in the paddy fields when we arrived, but gladly took the time away from his work (and therefore his daily earnings) to show us around and explain the paddy field and the situation. After a tour of the paddy fields and a somewhat lengthy discussion with this man, my colleagues decided we should be moving on, as we had another long journey that evening to our next visit. But this man insisted that we come to his house for tea before we departed. My colleagues tried to protest, as we were rushed for time, but the man’s persistence won. So here we are, rushing to get on our way, thinking all of our tasks are of utmost importance, while this man, who has already taken his own time from work to talk with us, is jumping in the river to take a quick bath, so he can take us to his house for a simple cup of tea. It was a beautiful and eye-opening sight to see the selflessness and love that came from this man, as he convinced us to stay and hurried through his river bath, with us just standing there, waiting. The very thought of having guests visit him and not receive them in his home was not an option in his mind. So we drove to his house and were greeted by his wife and family. We were served not only tea and juice, but a wonderful meal of cooked jackfruit also. And there were at least five of us.
That’s what I’m talking about. Taking the moment and embracing it. A demonstration of unselfish, unconditional love for those you encounter, no matter how well you know them or how much you have to complete. It is a beautiful encounter that has occurred more than once to me here—one of openness and giving from communities I hardly know, but in which I am accepted as if I were one of their own. And in experiencing this, one realizes that one must also embrace the moment in receiving—to not worry about running late or how it does not fit into your schedule, but to be grateful for the opportunity to receive such love and kindness.
We experienced a similar situation the next evening, when one of our worker’s families wanted to have us over for dinner. Though we had just had a long day, were completely exhausted, and only thinking of sleep, we went and had a very delicious meal with his family, who was so grateful to have us. That a family is so thankful and open to serving us a meal at their house is beyond me. We are the guests, yet they feel like they are receiving something by our presence.
This has taken me some time to recognize—to see the beauty in a moment before pushing it aside or labeling it as negative because it is not what I had planned.
I am reminded of it in my daily life here, when full buses pull over to give alms or prayers to a temple, when the call to prayer is heard throughout the day, when I see Buddhists meditating at their temples, and though these are all religious examples, it is just to show that one needs to take time away from the whirl of life and anything one is caught up in and take time for one’s self.
Our research may not be going according to our original plan, but I can only be grateful for my colleagues who are taking the time to see the importance of the issue and make whatever commitment is possible in their lives.
I will be going to Orange, California, in July with two Sri Lankan delegates to attend the Joining Hands and Peacemaking Conference with the eight other Joining Hands networks around the world. It will be an exciting and enriching time to learn about the other networks, their works, successes, and struggles, and to share our own with them. If you are one who prays, please do so for the success of this conference. It has great potential to help the growth and learnings of the Joining Hands Networks through this time of sharing and fellowship.
I hope everyone is doing well as the summer solstice approaches.
Take time,
Chenoa
Companionship Facilitator
Joining Hands – Sri Lanka
For more info:
The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 90 |
