The Lost Art of Patience

Where I live, springtime has had a rocky start.  Although it is not unheard of for us to experience snowstorms in late March or April, they feel out of place and annoying when they occur.  We are now moving into a patch of more "typical" spring-like weather, complete with early flowers poking their heads out of the cold earth, and trees throwing forth their blooms, and it has made me think about patience.

I wonder if these plants feel impatient to start their growth cycle in the spring.  If they are sitting below the Earth's surface, feeling annoyed by the ongoing weather delays preventing them from doing their thing and bringing colour to otherwise dull-looking spaces, or if they simply take it all in stride, knowing when the time is right, they will be called to start their magic.  

Humans also lose patience when our sense of divine timing is thrown off.  Speaking for myself, I absolutely feel frustrated when something I feel has taken "long enough" to occur still has not...what is the hold up, and why must I be forced to wait longer than I feel necessary?  This feeling of wanting things to happen NOW extends across many areas of life, from personal growth, to physical ability, to even being able to read a library book that someone has recommended instead of waiting for it while on hold. 

Patience as part of the process is something that I have been focusing on lately, as I have a few areas in my life where I am desiring change and am excited to have change take place.  Much like a child on Christmas morning, I find myself checking emails, hoping for a message that will move things along, only to be met with silence.  Sigh.  Then I realize what I am doing - trying to rush the process and intervene in something I cannot truly control.  

In contrast, I have also noticed areas where I have done as much as I can for aspects of change within my control, and have released my expectations of outcomes.  In those instances, I have felt a much different outcome.  Things have come together in a fluid and natural way, almost like things falling into place that were just waiting for the invitation to do so.  

All great reminders of the need to rekindle the art of patience.  In a world where we can literally push a few buttons and be rewarded with something almost instantaneously, there is real beauty in needing to wait for an outcome.  It was exciting to unwrap pottery I created after a three-week wait while they were glazed and fired in the kiln.  It is fun to finally attend an event after buying tickets months in advance.  There is deliciousness in savouring the wait and a deeper appreciation for the outcome when we have to take a pause before it arrives.  

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