Patience
Posted on October 18th, 2007 by Christopher
We slow people try to develop patience. Patience and slow go together like, well, things that go together well. Patience is a virtue, but it’s also a gift.
Thanks to sugar mouse in the rain for this on his blog.
“Herbert A. Simon coined a psychological law of his own, the 10-year rule, which states that it takes approximately a decade of heavy labour to master any field.”
I’m not sure that heavy labor is necessary, but perhaps persistence is. To be patient is to be kind, and to be patient with yourself is to be kind to yourself. Can we be kind to others if we aren’t to ourselves? I don’t thinks so. Patience is the slow way. Of course, like pretty much everything, it’s easier said than done. Let’s revisit this one.
Any thoughts about patience?
A thought about kindness. I work for a multi-national corporation; things get busy. I visited headquarters for the first time the other day. I was blown away by the size and busy-ness of the place. Workers that I visited were crammed elbow to elbow for lack of space. It would be easy to be jaded here, but in the middle of it all, one person had posted a sign, “Be kinder than necessary”. A busy environment dictates civility to get along. But kindness is about extending beyond what’s required. That’s what keep us human.
The chief weapon of the slow is patience!… Patience and tolerance… tolerance and patience…
Our two weapons are tolerance and patience… and kindness…
Our *three* weapons and tolerance, patience and kindness… and an almost fanatical devotion to politeness!
Amongst our weaponry are such elements as tolerance, patience…
I’ll come in again…
When we stop being patient in the face of frustration, the best cure to that frustration is patience itself!
When I encounter a situation with a co-worker that frustrates me, I get curt - and not only am I angry because of the situation, but I’m also upset with myself for being angry at my coworker, for not knowing how to deal with the problem better, and I get frustrated imagining future interactions with them.
However, when I exercise excessive patience, I realize:
- I’ve come across as really kind, which will reflect well in the eyes of the employee who may be doing their best
- I’ve avoided future conflicts with that employee
- I’ve shown myself to be a stronger, better person
Patience is a virtue, but for someone like me whose life was so incredibly fast-paced, it’s an exciting concept.