"Well, St. Espedee [Expeditus] works very quickly. His light is a red light on a Wednesday. He's fo' close scrapes -- he's fo' quick money." -New Orleans, LA. InformantApril 19 is the feast day of Saint Expeditus, patron of emergencies and solutions, guardian of programmers and hackers, staunch opponent of procrastination. Reputedly a fourth-century Roman martyr, Expeditus has evolved into a cult figure and voodoo saint, with strong followings in Réunion, Chile, and New Orleans.
Procrastination is a subtle siren, singing of drudgery deferred and duties delayed. It is a democratic habit, and encompasses all ages and walks of life. The teacher is just as likely to put off unwanted paperwork as the student.
There are a number of websites that offer practical advice on how to simply, streamline and prioritize your life. Study Hacks labels itself an "academic productivity blog." Primarily aimed at college students, its posts on achieving success while reducing stress are applicable to learners at all levels. Zen Habits promotes a simple lifestyle, presumably unfettered by the guilt that procrastination can bring. Lifehack focuses on "hacks, tips and tricks that get things done quickly by automating, increase productivity and organizing."
The end result of procrastination is usually panic and a flurry of activity. This prayer to Saint Expeditus might come in handy when those pesky deadlines finally catch up with you:
"Invoke in the urgent business"
My Expeditus Saint of the just and urgent causes intercedes close to for me Ours Mr. Jesus Cristo, help me in this hour of affliction and despair. Intercede close to for me ours Mr. Jesus Cristo! My Expeditus Saint You that are a warring Saint, You that you are the Saint of the afflicted ones, You that you are the Saint of the desperate ones. You that are the Saint of the urgent causes, Protect me, Help me, Give me you force, courage and serenity. Assist to my request. To " do the request ". My Expeditus Saint! Help me to overcome these difficult hours, protejei-me of everybody that can harm me, protect my family, assist to my request with urgency. Return me the peace and the peace. My Expeditus Saint! I will be thankful for the rest of my life and I will take its name the whole ones that have faith. A lot of thank you.
If you don't read this blog until after April 19, don't worry because "You can celebrate St. Expy Day whenever you get around to it!"
"I think that wherever your journey takes you, there are new gods waiting there, with divine patience -- and laughter." -Susan M. Watkins
8 comments:
I should start praying now! I have so much grading and planning to do for Monday! At least now I know there is a Saint looking out for us procrastinators!
Andrea,
The photo is of a large votive candle I bought in the Dollar Store. Maybe he's also the patron saint of bargain hunters!
Diane
As I'm reading this post (a day late) while completing a project due yesterday, I think you may have been writing this for me? I've always squeaked through in life (remarkably well, in fact), but I think it would probably behoove me practice some time management skills. I'll get on that after reading some more of your blog, checking twitter, and emailing my sister...........
Kate,
Take your time! [however you might want to click on the "St. Expy Day" link. There are a lot of sites for procrastinators listed...]
diane
Light a candle for me! I should light one for myself... ummm... maybe later ;-P
I actually feel very little stress when I procrastinate. Procrastination is a tool to get done what I want to get done, when I should be doing what I have to get done. The secret to successful procrastination is to get both done in an 'appropriate' time frame.
Now, back to work! (I won't tell you what time it is here or you will laugh at my idea of 'appropriate:-)
I think Dudeism just found a new Dude!
(Some nice sentences in there, saith the English teacher. Don't you love balance pairs, especially when they alliterate the way yours do? Why do people chase money and stuff when words and sentences are free? I'll never understand.)
I don't think I ever, in all my college career, started a paper earlier than the night before it was due. Sure, I read and annotated a lot. But the writing? Always overnight, usually at a 24 hour coffee-shop counter or booth. I miss those days.
Found this post from your comment on Unclutterer.
I never even knew there was such a saint and I've been Catholic since birth. Thanks for the info and the links! Consider me subscribed to your RSS feed!
Thanks to all who commented. As a (sometimes) reformed procrastinator, I know whereof you speak.
Meant to thank you sooner but...
Lionel, as the quote from Susan Watkins pointed out, "...wherever your journey takes you, there are new gods waiting there, with divine patience -- and laughter."
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