Patience

Today I got to thinking about patience… and how I have absolutely the lowest tolerance for idiocy and anything SLOW. While many people share these same feelings, I think I may take it a bit overboard.

We had a seminar at work today and it really revved up my mind when she started discussing patience. Although this is a quality that some people naturally have more tolerance with, it is definitely something that can be learned. (Me being one who needs to learn it.)

I guess the way I look at things is, “Why wait if I can get it done now?” Why be slow when I can go fast?” “Why climb along when I can leap?” Well, my friends, I think a large part of this is due to the fact that we are Y’ers, or part of generation Y.

We grew up with technology (the internet, palm pilots, cell phones, text messaging, email, GPS, etc, etc) and therefore, feel that we can get everything and anything we want or need with the snap of our fingers. And while that may be true, it’s nice to take a second, sit back and say, “It can wait.”

Our presenter gave us one tidbit when it comes to patience. If you want to learn patience (which I so desperately do), practice patient behaviors. She lent out ideas, such as staying in one lane 80% of the way while driving home, no matter how slow it is. Or standing in the longest line at the grocery store, and when another line opens up, walk slowly over- if someone beats you to it, let them go first. Now, I know what you’re thinking. When she mentioned these, I laughed to myself and said “YEAH RIGHT. Why would I stand in lines that are longer than the rest, it’s such a waste of time.”

Of course, everyone’s time is valuable. Your time is valuable. My time is valuable. But what will end up happening is that all this impatience will lead to stress, stress will lead to health, heart, and probably mental problems, and you’ll end up with less time anyways. At least that’s my theory.

With that said, I’ve set a goal: to practice one patient behavior per week for a month. For instance, today, instead of powerwalking to my car and running to make the crosswalk lights, I meandered slowly. I noticed how nice and cool the weather was, that the air smelled like leaves (yes, even in downtown Houston), and that the sun was shining bright with only a few clouds in the sky. I was actually able to have a peaceful moment instead of thinking “what next”.

I never would have noticed these things had I been running to get to my car or thinking about that “next thing”. It may seem small, but it actually made my day a tiny ounce more enjoyable. I encourage you to take a little time and practice patience. I’m hoping you’ll find in the end that all you really do have is time.