The window she is broken and the rain is comin’ in
If someone doesn’t fix it I’ll be soaking to my skin
But maybe in a day or two the rain will go away
And who would need a window on such a sunny day.Mañana, mañana. Mañana is soon enough for me.
Those are the lyrics that have been going through my head the past few weeks. It’s because often when there are chores to be done I do a little bit, look at the rest and say, “Maybe tomorrow.” My husband says, “Yes, more and more mañana works for me too.” (Mañana is the Spanish word for tomorrow.)
The lyrics are my slightly modified version of the last stanza and refrain from a song popular when I was a kid. They obviously made an impression on me. 🙂 All my husband remembers is the refrain and the music.
To hear the song click here.
What about you? Do songs ever go through your head? How do you feel about mañana as a philosophy?
“Manana” is too much a part of my life.
Tom’s mother said, “Do it & be done with it.” That’s what Tom does & it works for him. If only I had his energy.
How do I feel about mañana as a philosophy?
For some things, the things I don’t feel like taking care of, “yes.”
For the things I like to do, “no.”
I guess “mañana”… or “next week” … or “when I get around to it” are all catch phrases for procrastination.
I think manyana is often good sense. We spend to much time fretting about trivia I think.
As to music, my friends have a term for songs that get stuck in your head – ‘an earworm’. I often have earworms.
bikehikebabe,
Ah, but the idea behind mañana is you don’t worry about putting some things off until a later date. The sun will still rise and set, the world will go around, etc. It’s the opposite of feeling you should be doing more.
My husband and I instilled a work ethic in our daughter. Now we’re being good role models by enjoying the fruits of our labor.
Mike,
I agree. I spend a lot of time on the things I want to immerse myself in. And I keep the list of supposedly necessary chores as short as possible. As the saying goes,
Another good catch phrase is “In the fullness of time.”
Evan,
I agree. As Thoreau said, “Simplify, simplify. Our lives are frittered away in details.”
I like the term earworm. But I don’t object to the song going around in my head. It makes me laugh.
Evan,
Actually I think the Thoreau quote was
Actually it was just me, I hadn’t known the Thoreau quote.
I remember when my daughter was REALLY little, and there would be something she wanted and it wasn’t something we could get at that moment. I’d say, “Maybe tomorrow,” and, strangely she loved the idea. In her wee piping voice, she began to say it even before I did. The ability to put off something PLEASURABLE, which I understand isn’t what you’re talking about, is now recognized as a hallmark of maturity. So, you know, perhaps it’s also mature to recognize that, as you say, there’s always tomorrow to do that something we’re avoiding. I follow this philosophy!
Evan,
I realize you were speaking for yourself, not quoting Thoreau. I tried quoting him to agree with you but had to correct the quote.
Jody,
I think it was a great idea to tell your daughter “Maybe tomorrow.” When my husband and I were first married we put off buying things we could afford. It was nice to know we could have bought them immediately if we wanted to, but it felt good to save the money and wait. When we did indulge we appreciated the items even more.
Living in Baja, I have learned that “manana” actually means “not today”. Once when ordering water I said, “Manana will do” and I was asked if I meant American Manana or Mexican Manana?
Kay,
I’m talking about the Mexican manana, of course.