I know that you may think that you are the most impatient person that you know, but I am here to declare that I will defeat that feeble notion of yourself (if there’s such a thing).  In my never-ending quest to better myself, I have discovered something.  Due to a recent event I was exposed to this past week, it has unmasked a deficiency of mine: I’m impatient.  That last statement doesn’t exactly sum up everything, though.

I’m patient with my students.  I try to be patient with everyday people.  I am even patient with some things that I have no control over.  But, I am certainly impatient when it comes to other things.

Yesterday evening, I rode public transportation into the city.  I wanted to “smooth out my brain” by walking around DC (from previous posts, you may have gathered that I am a tourist at heart).  As I walked in the city, I was amazed at how it takes on a completely different look at night.  It was as if I discovered a new place.  My exploration of the city was invaded by a few pestering questions I had in my mind.  I asked, “Why did this happen,” and “When will this happen,” and “How long will this continue?”  I even tried to reason with myself by saying, “This is all a part of the master plan.”

The truth is that I don’t know why things aren’t happening the way I would like them to in some areas.  Wouldn’t it be fantastic if you could just send a text message to “777” to find out how to fix the things that aren’t working out in your life?  Maybe I should invent such a thing.  Or maybe not.  LOL.  How many people would text in order to smooth out the wrinkles in their lives?  Or would that take the fun out of life?

Honestly, I believe that “variety is the spice of life.”  What I mean by that, is that I realize that I have encountered and will continue to encounter ups in downs in this life.  Does that mean I should “throw in the towel?”  No, not at all.  I am trying to get to the place where I am not easily thrown “off track” by trivial situations.  While it is difficult to determine the severity from one vicissitude to the other, I am reminded that the situation doesn’t change; but instead, how I react to the trial does.

Right now, I’m learning how to change my attitude about my vehicle.  Currently, she and I [affectionately called my “girlfriend”] are not on good terms.  She comes up with a new complaint [symptom] every week.  I am not sure what will happen, but I have begun preparing for what will inevitably happen when we “break up” completely.  The worst that can happen is that I rely on public transportation for a season.  Once upon a time, that would’ve been the equivalent to a “death sentence” to me.  It’s moments like these that I use as a “measuring stick” of growth.  I’m sure I have much growing to do still, but I have to keep moving forward.

Keep digging until you find what you’re after.  I will.

Until next time.

Love, Peace and Patience,

-Herbie