Patience - 'got some?

Blog39:
Consider commonplace scenarios in and out of our lives:

Question:  Why do leaves turn into different colors during autumn?

Wait … let me think.

I’m digging deep down my brain.

How do I answer that?

What have I experienced that’s related to it?

What do I know about what you’re asking?

I don’t know; I just don’t.

Don’t push me.

Wait … let me think!

Question: Where are the accessories to the vacuum cleaner?

          I’m thinking; wait …

Look into the cabinets …

          They’re where they’ve always been; look there!

Didn’t you use them last?

Why aren’t things where they’re supposed to be?

Question:  When will I know about the work load … the hours … the job?

          Soon enough, I reckon.

Stop nagging about it.

          When we’re ready, we’ll let you know.

 In two to four weeks, perhaps?

          Many factors are considered.  Give it time.

We’re still sorting applicants’ resumes.

          Don’t call us; we’ll call you!

We’ll let you know in time.

Setting: At a restaurant, a couple passes orders from a menu to a wait staff.  Minutes pass …

I can’t wait to taste that Chef’s special!

Gee, it has been 15 minutes; no food on the table!

Excuse me.  Have you turned in to the cook our orders?

Golly, how did they get served before us?

Twenty two more minutes have passed.  Where’s that food?

If it were not here in five minutes, let’s go, eh?

Setting: Theatergoers have lined up for tickets …

Good grief!  This line is taking forever to move up!

What’s stalling the line?

Why don’t people give the exact change?

Your turn; keep up with the line so I don’t have to wait.

Gosh, I’ve waited all day.  What’s the hold up?

Setting: Road work ahead; evening /morning rush hour …

That pesky red stop light; it got me again!

I should have run that yellow light; I could have made it!

Hey, don’t get up close to my rear!  

When’s that light going to turn green?

Is it our turn yet?

What’s causing the turtle-like speed?

Show irritation … Grumble … Huff ‘n’ puff … Grrrrrrr …

Curse (?) …  Get vexed!  Enter into exasperation!

Patience - a virtue, a wonderful fruit of the spirit.  Having patience allows us to stand testy times and situations.  Either we possess it, or we don’t!  Either we understand that circumstances dictate we willingly accept a delay, or we become victims of annoyance.  Patience invites us to stay collected and wait calmly over and about some event, process, and situation.  When we do not, we lose our chance to enjoy levelheadedness within, and serenely display it.   When we do not attempt to practice it, we get strikingly agitated, ruffled and angry enough to blow up without due cause.  Like a river that slowly, but surely makes its way to the ocean, patience tests our compliance and flexibility … our inward and outward journey to transcendent end. 

            It is undoubtedly difficult to act upon getting calm when our time is short or when we’re pressed for results.  We live in a speedy, digital world that imposes a snap and a snip for a service desired.  Surrounded by false self-entitlements and rapid, swift gratifications, we crowd our minds and lives with unproductive, revolting demands – impatience - that only come back to haunt us in one way or another.  Fabricated, deceptive expectations coming from inability to wait … to be still, self-inflict on ourselves disastrous gains and unwholesome practices.  They jar, bash and nerve our otherwise tranquil souls. 

What’s our solace?  We are always either confronted or offered a choice to choose patience. 

            Are we up to it?