Practicing Patience–Do You Make These Common Mistakes?

November 12, 2018November 11, 2018 Lynette M Burrows

We learn, from a very young age, that being patient is a virtue. We treat impatience as a weakness. And procrastination is the big bag flaw. Many of us spend a lot of time beating ourselves up because we are too impatient or we procrastinate too much. Yet when we’re in the thick of things we often cannot tell if we are being patient or waiting or procrastinating. Not knowing the difference leads to thinking we are practicing patience when we are making common mistakes. What Patience Doesn’t Mean The definition of patience appeared in last Monday’s post. But the definition doesn’t help us practice patience much. Learning what patience is not is a start. Patience does not mean to passively endure. It means to be farsighted enough to trust the end result of a process. What does patience mean? It means to look at the thorn and see the rose, to look at the night and see the dawn. Impatience means to be so shortsighted as to not be able to see the outcome. ― Elif Shafak, The Forty Rules of Love We often define impatience as the opposite of patience. Its definition is the quality or state of being impatient. Well, […]

My Frustration vs. My Patience, Which Will Win?

November 4, 2018November 4, 2018 Lynette M Burrows

Are you stressed out? Does your stress levels have anything to do with the lack of patience? I confess, my stress levels are in large part due to my impatience. I’m tired of bad manners and bad behavior. I’m tired of people doing horrible things to one another—again. 2018 has been a year of frustration rolled up into one humongous rubber ball of stress. It’s been my frustration vs. my patience, which will win? Patience you must have, my young padawan. Yoda (Star Wars) Never put passion before principle, even if you win, you’ll lose. Mr. Miyagi (Karate Kid) What is patience? According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary it’s the capacity to bear opposition, difficulty or adversity calmly and without complaint. Experts differ in what to call patience. It’s a tool, a skill, an attitude, a genetic inclination, and a nurtured ability. It may not be easy to define or label but we all know when we have it…and when we don’t. The problem with Yoda and Mr. Miyagi’s advice, the problem with patience, is that frustration is a fact of life. It will happen, on a daily basis. Something isn’t happening fast enough, or the “right” way or the change that’s needed […]

In a World of Peril, Create

October 29, 2018October 29, 2018 Lynette M Burrows

I had intended to blog about Halloween quotes and traditions this week, but the recent tragedies in the U.S. changed my mind. People are hurting and grieving and scared. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate Halloween. It means that many people are overwhelmed at this horrid turn of events. I’m overwhelmed. But there’s a way to beat back the overwhelming emotions. In a world of peril, create. Create love, create art, create a pie (pumpkin anyone?), create hope. LOVE Love is evident everywhere in this time of grief and fear. It was in the police officers who got shot trying to stop the violence. It’s in the grieving loved ones feel. Shared sorrow is borne out of love of your fellow man. Vowing to support those who are being persecuted, hunted, and harmed—is a form of love. This doesn’t mean don’t be angry. Hate what happened. Hate the fear and abuse and hatred. But if you choose to hate a single person or group of persons you are no different than the people who killed or tried to kill people they hate. Hate begets hate. Take comfort in the outpouring of love. Give love. Love the helpers, the grieving, the […]