BY JANICE GENNEVOIS
If real-time could be measured with a metronome, the United States tempo is about 240 and Mexico is around 45 beats per minute. Delayed gratification seems to be a foreign concept for many foreigners in countries where you often only have what you have. When you have nothing, gratitude is the answer.
Ahorita is my favorite word in the Spanish language. To me, it symbolizes and encapsulates the culture and spirit of the Mexican people.
The definition of Ahorita can mean in five hours, two weeks or in two months. It’s a great teacher of patience, self-examination, privilege, expectations and the illusion of control.
“Let it Be, Let it Be” I hear The Beatles sing in my head.
Ahorita is the worst word to hear from your plumber unless you want to master the power of letting go. It’s a chance to reflect on the world’s many people who have no access to clean water, let alone running water.
You don’t have to look far to find those without. Here in La Paz, many native people live at the top of the Cinco de Mayo Street tourist facade mirage.
Often their shelters do not do well in the hurricanes or searing heat and many are lacking basic services and resources including transportation and more.
A Buddhist story comes to mind: Road laborers came to the master saying, “This boulder is heavy.” The monk smiled and then said, “It’s not heavy if you don’t try to lift it.” I spent my life moving boulders that I could have walked past.
I’ve been traveling for several years to practice mindfulness, minimalism, intentional living and finding peace. I’m trying on some new life and trying to escape the isolation I felt in America.
I’ve been making progress in shedding the cloak of planning and replacing it with just being present. Now in my humble flawed human being way, I try to practice loving what is. As for the isolation, I am never alone here. I’ve been held and become part of those big Mexican families. Here they embrace, accept, invite, invite, invite me into their homes, families and lives.
Here is one of my effortless ahorita moments:
I was drifting down Cinco de Mayo Street thinking about how I wanted to go to Todos Santos for Christmas and New Year’s to see the whales. At this moment, I ran into Gilberto and as we greeted each other, his phone rang. His friend said he needed a dog sitter at his place in Todos Santos for the holidays. I guess you know how I spent the holidays.
In the past, I would have been researching, getting a rental, buying a bus ticket, and moving a boulder. Thank God my inner impatient Karen is in my rear-view mirror now.
I wish you all the peace and spirit of Ahorita. May it embrace and stand beside you always.
