September 21, 2016 – Patience

Patience

“The practice of patience toward one another, the overlooking of one another’s defects, and the bearing of one another’s burdens is the most elementary condition of all human and social activity…”

 Lawrence G. Lovasik (1913-1986) American priest and writer

     Patience towards one another: Is it really “the most elementary condition of all human activity”? I think one could make a pretty good case for it.

     Especially in this American culture of ours―which is so rich, exciting, diverse, so attractive in so many ways―it can be difficult to see one of its major challenges: impatience! We want it and we want it now.

     I had to wait 5 minutes for the waiter to bring my iced tea! And sometimes when I’m driving in traffic… well, you don’t want to know.

     Each day offers us so many opportunities for patience with one another! Rather than creating stress, take a moment for a Stillpoint: turn your focus inward, notice your breath, call to mind someone you love, breathe again.

     [Don’t look at me! I didn’t say I was good at this―but be sure I’ll be right there with you, doin’ my darnedest.]