Day Forty One: Patience

I am patient.

Okay, this is one I’m working on. I’m really not all that patient, especially when it comes to anything involving technology and the internet. But this is because media has tricked me into believing that the web and computers are magic, instant gratification machines. They are not. As my boyfriend will tell you, I can get very, very, very frustrated when the internet or my computer or my phone stop working when I need them too. He is a godsend and should be christened a saint for putting up with me.

But I’m patient in other ways. I’ll wait in traffic, wait for parking spaces and wait for people to finish at a gas station. I put up with customers who stare at my case for twenty minutes before settling on cookie dough. Today I waited in Urgent Care with my friend for five hours without complaining (too much.)

Patience is one of those things that we all need to work on. Or we need to at least teach ourselves to avoid situations that make us frustrated and require patience, if it really isn’t your thing. Hate sitting in traffic and worried about getting somewhere on time? Leave early. Don’t want to wait in line at the DMV? Go during non-peak hours. Tired of driving around the mall looking desperately for a space? Get someone to drop you off or park further away and walk in.

So maybe I’m not the patron saint of patience. But I put up with the children I babysit and their parents (who can be just as bad.) I put up with teenagers when I teach. I put up with my employers who don’t really know what they’re doing. I put up with those annoying customers who want me to tell them what they want rather than trying to decide themselves. And most of the time I do it with a smile.

I have plenty of time in my life. I don’t want to waste it, but I don’t need to horde every minute of it either.

Challenge to my Readers:

Today when you feel that itch of impatience creeping up on you, take a deep breath and let it out. If you’re angry at someone for taking too long in the lunch line or customer service counter, make up a dramatic story about them to entertain yourself and pass the time. Got little kids, find apps and games for your phone or ipod that will help keep them calm when you need them to be patient for something.

For those of you who are impatient for my next book to come out, check out my Reddit account where I’m doing some experimental serial sci-fi!