This morning I was listening to a talk from President Uchtdorf. The talk was on the topic of patience, something I have had a love hate relationship with throughout my life. In the talk reference is made to a fun little study of children eating marshmallows. Watch this. Then read on.
The study was designed to test patience. It was found that those kids that could wait for the second marshmallow ended up having healthier, happier and more successful lives.
For the most part I don't like to wait for anything. I expect to get things done as quickly as the action comes to mind. However, I have also been obsessed with endurance sports. If you have ever tried to make your body do something it really doesn't want to do you know that patience is the most critical component. I have often heard that endurance athletes have 20% physical talent and 80% mental capacity to ignore and subdue the groaning of their bodies. Those who win races are often those who can ignore and subdew the pain longer.
""Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances."
Thomas Jefferson
I don't think patience is simply enduring either. Patience is active waiting as well. I was taught this once by a professor in college. I told him that I really disliked being patient because it seemed so passive. Who wants to just sit and wait for your situation in life to get better? That thought never resonated with me. This professor suggested that there are at least two different meanings to the word "wait". One, is to stop and not move. The other relates to waiting on others as a waiter does in a restaurant. Since that conversation I have tried hard to try and wait actively. I am still not very good at it.
"The two most powerful warriors are patience and time."
Leo Tolstoy
Some of the most successful people I know became successful because of their ability to endure, ignore instant gratification and actively wait. They are patient in allowing opportunities to present themselves and then are decisive in their actions.
I really like your thoughts on patience. I agree 100%. It does no good to sit around and wait for your situation to change. Being proactive is more fun.
ReplyDeleteJade, you are the first person to comment on my blog. Thanks! This blog is about nothing in particular so don't expect to actually be edified when you come.
ReplyDeleteHey, Barett...I tried to put a post on yesterday morning. I wrote a very nice, mother-like comment about your post and it didn't go through, so just for the record, I was the first to write something to you!
ReplyDeleteI was very impressed with your words as they took me back to another time and place, with visions of a little boy that used to run into walls and a teenager that was determined to get HIS point across to his parents!! My, how you've grown and matured. I really enjoy your thoughts because its almost scary how much I see of myself in you! love you...mom
Mom, you came too! Now I really feel special. I am sorry I didn't get your comment on the first post. I think I had something turned off. I am still trying to figure out Blogger. I think all the comments are on and working so feel free to comment away.
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