Don1228's Thought Process: Repost: "Impatience"

Impatient. Hurried. Harried.

Do you know someone who is this way? Are you this way? What does it serve you to be so?

I know that at times I can be impatient and I truly try to check it before it becomes debilitating. When I am impatient, I unfortunately let it out on other people who don't deserve it so I try to avoid it whenever possible. Nowadays, my being impatient is rare because I am moved to take the time to consider the permutations of a choice so as to not elevate a situation or desire to a place that it does not deserve on my list of priorities.

But, let's look at it. I'm not pulling out a Bible or doing a Google search for it so this is from my perspective. As such, your perspective is certainly welcome. I find that being impatient is one of the most wasteful emotions there could ever be. I find that people who are suffering from impatience are also suffering from a personality flaw that inhibits their personal growth and their personal relationships. How many arguments can you point to that were the direct cause of impatience?

Being impatient is where you simply MUST have what you want and RIGHT NOW. In a nutshell, the entire world must stop to accommodate you and your desires. Even though what you want may not be what you really NEED but you perceive it as a need that must be satisfied at that moment.

When one throws a tantrum because they feel a need isn't being met, and when one gives in to that, and the person has now obtained the results they want, what was the cost? Did you care at all about the person(s) whose feathers you ruffled and whose day(s) you disrupted and whose calm you invaded to get what you want?

Now that you have it, what are you doing with it? Now that you have it, did it really make any difference if you got it back then or just now?

When I think of the beauty of a tree in late Autumn and the tapestry that we enjoy; when I think of the majesty of the Grand Canyon and the awesome sculpture it is; when I think of the Falls of Niagara and the power of its cascade...these are things that one is enjoying today because of the passage of time and their creation therein.

We know that time heals all wounds to borrow a phrase but it is so true that while the impatient person focuses on the immediacy of a situation, the passage of time and its soothing balm allows a total satisfaction to be experienced later.

We look at the retired person who wisely put money away for a rainy day and now is enjoying their care-free golden years reaping the patient seeds that they sowed. Did they foolishly squander their youth on things which have no lasting meaning or benefit so that their retiring years are not of peace but of struggle?

We look at the accumulative ravages of bad habits on our bodies and lives and wish them away. We look at the accumulative damage done by corrosive tempers on those around us and feel insulated but at one point do we realize that looking out for Number One meant that you were all alone and friendless or loveless and you only have yourself as bad company?

The impetus for this topic today did come from my morning spiritual program and I had to search through my life to see where I am impatient or have people in my world who are impatient and try to put it/them in perspective. I know that if time and patience are recognized and exercised, my food tastes sweeter, my paycheck or earnings from teaching are much more prized, and my sleep is sounder because I know that the peace that I have EARNED by being patient is paying off for a lifetime.

Impatience can lead to pettiness and, further, it truly is a damaging sensation to experience. One may not care what others think of them but the day will come when that impatience will cause someone to turn their back on you and you will have NO ONE to be impatient with but yourself and by yourself (no one wants to die alone, do they?).

Being patient is also a matter of trust...to allow a situation to be what it should be for all involved and not necessarily at the expense of anyone else. Some folks have trouble trusting in things/people/situations to progress to that point and thereby become impatient as a result. I find that to be an unfortunate way to live.