Nature-Patience

"Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Adopt the simple way of life with the ability to wait and endure without complaint and you have followed the words of Emerson. Many times we find ourselves hurrying through life without thought of slowing down. I know that I'm one of those people. Trying to get things done to be prepared for the next hurdle in life causes me to literally race through my activities. Then I find myself complaining instead of quietly waiting and enduring silently. I've always tried to be patient with others, but never quiet accomplished it entirely. Of course, a long time ago I quit praying for patience...and prayed for understanding (knowledge) instead. When I was working (as a secretary) for the church, I was called upon many, many times to have patience with fellow employees, parishioners coming to the rectory door, phone calls from marketing people, charity cases with and without cause, and so many other things. I found out that patience comes much easier when you're younger. As age creeps up on you, understanding begins to play a role in your life and you begin to not have as much patience with others. You may still excuse young children for not knowing any better, sick people for not being able to help themselves, physically and mentally handicapped people for being incapable of doing for themselves...but the rest, you find as being too lazy, too arrogant, and too unfeeling to be excused. The lenten season is the perfect time to practice being more patient again. But try as I may, knowledge gets in the way lots of time. So I continue to struggle with my hurried world and lack of patience at times, but with the knowledge that one day I may again be able to have more patience as age catches up with me and I become "as a little child" again.