Yesterday, today, tomorrow

TUE, JANUARY 3, 2017 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring

Do you always count the days up to the next legal holiday without being on duty? Or do you start as early as September longing for Christmas? And do you wish the weeks or months to hopefully pass by like an assault up to the next possible salary increase?

Many times we are really too much in a hurry while feeling uncomfortable if we noticed how time flies. We have no time for someone or something, or even for ourselves. We don’t make time for some one of something or even for ourselves.

When I was still a teenager, I was longing for the time to be a grown up already. Later, I enjoyed listening to my grandmother’s stories such as “Once Upon A Time” or ‘When I Was Young” from her “yesterday’s life”.

After a couple of years, especially while observing that time really flies like a rocket to the moon, I always have the same question in my mind: Are the present hours and days less valuable?

These days between Christmas and New Year, between yesterday and tomorrow, I used to slow down and to relax. I even ignore my cellphone most of the time. I hide at a secret place to unwind.

The next turn of the year is just around the corner. For most of us it’s the time  to come to our senses. The future prospects smile at us already. What might the New Year 2017 bring us? Another hectic schedule of course! But hopefully also happiness, joy and health. Hopefully more peace.

Is life in future easier, nicer, more charming and being more fulfilled compared to the present? Many of us retreat into the past and forget their present existence. A possible topsyturved world of a golden youth tries to let us forget that also the past have had its share of disappointments, pains, tears, darkness, as well as desperate days. Dreamy and sleepy days – yes, lost days, irretrievable time….

I am glad and happy being able living a wonderful life as an expatriate here in the Philippines – together with my family and many very good friends. It hasn’t been easy during the first years. Now we stand on our own feet, because we worked hard and adjusted very well.

Very personal: Six years ago, I got the chance to write a regular column for the MIRROR. More than 300 write ups have been published here already. My deepest gratitude to publisher and Chief Editor Marietta F. Siongco  and Ana Theresa F. Basilio-Williams and the whole MIRROR staff.

Happy New Year to all of you and May God bless us!