I want it my way and I want it now!
You are probably getting tired of this theme but I am just not getting the message in a powerful way.
Panama is the perfect foil for the quintessence American. We break out in unfulfilled "want it" like pimples on a teenagers face. Believe me, it is actually uglier than acne. I had no idea I had so many "want it's." Where is the suave for the raging American "want its?"
I intellectually get it. I know that this culture is not set up to fulfill immediate gratification. Delayed gratification is the name of the game.
The results of the Panamanian way are every where. These people are not only happy but absent of anger.
Take their driving. The horn is used all the time for anything from saying hi to warning someone that you are coming. Sometimes it is used to hurry a car along.
But it is never used in anger.
In addition, these are the most accepting people I've been around. For the most part, I don't see much judgement.
They value a conversation on the street more than moving along. Our builder will spend too much time talking to us when I know he is in a hurry and needs to get to another jobsite. I watched a guy thwarted in his task wait patiently for an hour or more rather than start something else.
Looks to me that it is results vs. happiness and the more attractive option is happiness.
But, how to get there.
How do I surgically remove the spoiled American, the "I want it now," from me?
I guess being here will eventually crush it right out of me. Others who have gone before me say it will come with time.
I am looking forward to that time.
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