Patience is a virtue.

Interesting expression isn't it, "patience is a virtue".  In a world of instant everything we've lost touch with this particular virtue as we instant this and instant that.  But really does it matter?  I think so.

To be patient means to wait calmly, even tempered, persevering.  Virtue means merit, an admirable quality, moral excellence.  So, it is admirable to be able to persevere.  Ok, but we don't have to any longer.  For most things anyway.  I find myself less and less patient these days, when once upon a time it was a quality I prided myself in.  My ability to wait calmly.  I struggle with this daily now and I don't think it's because as I grow older I become less patient, I think it's because I just don't have to be.

The thing is in this fast paced world we need this virtue of patience more now than ever before.  Before we had no choice, today we do.  We can instant message someone if we need to contact them, whereas as little as oh, 20 or so years ago less for some we would put pen to paper and send our thoughts and questions via what is now known as "snail mail"  and yet that will for the most part arrive at it's destination in a matter of days.

Imagine what life was like 100 years ago?  Patience was a requirement expected of everyone.  Still an admirable virtue but expected none the less.  Today we simply sluff it off if we see someone loosing patients with an other fellow human and chalk it down to them having a bad day.  Rarely do we attribute it to them having simply lost the virtue of patience.  As if patience is no longer a requirement.

My ex used to abhor the concept of patience.  He would say that's just someone elses way of saying "f-you".  As if being expected to wait for something was akin to being denied out right.  He had and still has a low tolerance for patience and not because of the world around him but because he feels his wishes should be fulfilled instantly upon his request.  The concept of having to wait for something was appalling at best.

I on the other hand have decided that I'm going to regain this virtue.  I will endeavour as much as possible to be patient, even when it frustrates and annoys me to have to do so.  I will wait calmly and preserver, I will embrace this admirable trait and make it mine once again.  How? Don't know, but I do know what it feels like to lose my patience so acting in contrary should do the trick. 

Remember, "Good things come to those who wait."

Tammy.