Though I’m not Italian as my first name suggests…
…My father (also not Italian) taught me the probably most important skill of all when I was young.
Patience.
Yep, that’s it.
How? Among other things, by cooking Spaghetti.
Since it takes time until the pasta is put into the water (and until you can finally eat this delicious food), you got to be patient. And if I know anyone who’s extremely patient, it’s my father.
For the record, I don’t believe that patience comes with age and experience; it is a learned skill. Each and every one of us—without a mental illness that prevents him/her from doing so—can be more patient.
More patient with others, but even more importantly with themselves.
Instead of rushing through the day, trying to force positive outcomes…
…Why not relax? Why not let things unfold as they’re designed to?
Of course, you got to be able to act when the time’s right. That’s, for instance, one of my major weaknesses. That’s something I gotta work on. Because, in most cases, I am too patient. Not good.
How miserable is life, however, when I look at many old people these days. Yes, old people. The people, who do have time. Sorry for being so blunt, but these motherfuckers are so ungrateful and impatient. They have the time, and yet they are complaining about having to wait for more than two minutes—as if the world’s gonna explode in 1, 2, 3.
And then they waste my time by being unprepared, unorganized, unclear.
Don’t get it.
NOTE: I’m talking about a minority of people here (elder people without patience). There are lots of older people, as well, who do have extreme patience. And these people do serve as great role models.
As said before, patience is a learned behavior; a learned skill.
I was grateful to learn it at a very young age because of my father. On the flip-side, there are things I didn’t learn at that age or even at a later stage; things I’m still struggling with—like presenting myself in front of others, “selling myself and my unique qualities,” or writing well.
That’s why I keep putting in the time & work.
You might be encouraged to do so, as well.
