KidSpirit

My Community's Speed

The Speed of NowGlobal Beat

The speed of time is the same around the world but influences our lives in different ways. In my city of Coronel Oviedo, in the heart of beautiful Paraguay, the clock moves at the same pace as in other cities. However, just as in many places around the globe, modern advances have influenced the pace of life in my community.

Oviedo used to be a small city with few schools; if you wanted to study at a university, you had to go to the capital city of Asunción. There was a single avenue that went to the government office and one public hospital. The pace of life here was very slow at that time; people moved languidly and enjoyed what they had.

People really had to work for the Coronel Oviedo we have today. Now we have hospitals, a large number of schools, and universities with different degree programs that allow young people to choose the best way to follow their dreams. With the passage of time, my community has progressed in many ways (such as technology, vehicles, and architecture) that make us move at a more moderate pace. We move fast for the most part, but sometimes we move slowly too. Our pace depends on what we have to do, where we are, what we need, what is really important to us, and whether we have enough time to get it all done.

Since I was a child, modern advances and the moderate pace of time in Oviedo have influenced the way I approach life. I think everything depends on us. We have to set priorities and organize our schedules. I usually make a list of what to do in order to organize my day-to-day schedule. For example, if I have a project to finish for school, then an English class, and then a dance class, I have to prioritize. Having a schedule of things and organizing my day gives me balance in my life, helping me do things, enjoy them, and live every minute of the day.

The speed of time has a powerful effect that we are unaware of, but influences our daily lives. The ideal balance is to be moderate, meaning that we have to take time out from our obsessions. Sometimes that means doing nothing, resting, taking a walk, or setting time aside for friends, family, and fun.

Jazmin Medina Palacios is 16 years old and lives in Coronel Oviedo, Paraguay. In her free time she likes to read books and hang out with family and friends. Jazmin is a dance student and her dream is to become a great dancer.

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Art by Jaden Flach, Brooklyn

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Art by Jaden Flach, Brooklyn