Did you ever wonder why “patience” is a virtue? It seems as a virtue it doesn’t have a lot going for it. For example, it seems inefficient. Waiting for something gives the appearance something is not getting done. Patience doesn’t seem to get much credit. People don’t re-mark, ”he/she was a great man/women, he/she was so patient”. Patience doesn’t seem to make one great. Patience might have been used in the creation of greatness, but they are usually remembered for something else. Like, the light bulb.
The old tale of the Hare and the Tortoise doesn’t seem to fit in the world I’m in. Getting things done, taking command and being decisive are more desirable attributes. Patience also seems to be a luxury. You can afford to have it, when you need it the least. When you’re wealthy there’s no reason to rush after riches. You can be patient when you’ve accomplished everything you set out to do. You can be patient if there’s no pressure to get something done or be somewhere. Patience is in distain, old fashioned, lightly appreciated and seldom practiced.
And then you have the problem of definition. Everyone has their own definition of patience. To some waiting 10 seconds for something to happen is patience, to others, 10 minutes, or 10 hours, or 10 days. When a person is impatient what does that really mean? They aren’t living up to your definition of patience?
I don’t think people consider it the most important virtue. People just say it’s “a virtue”. Does it have a rank? How high should it be? Then, it's like a game. You need to practice, to get good. Not only do you have to “have patience” you are to keep practicing. If there is something most people don’t like it’s practicing. Why do you think so many exercising and dieting programs fail? Well, that may not be a fair analogy. I think you get my point. In some odd way we admire people who we consider to have patience. Although none of us seem to be satisfied with the amount we have. Nor, do we know how much we’re supposed to have.
Well, when it comes to patience, I have more questions than answers. But I have learned one thing. You don’t “make” friends! You don’t create them out of thin air. You have friendships and practice to make them better.
GP
