“I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my way in the end.”
~attributed to Margaret Thatcher~
Impatience.
Does it—impatience—reflect our times? An internet search immediately brings up thousands of choices on our screen. We can get overnight delivery, listen now to a new podcast episode, or watch live some streamed events.
No need to wait. Get what we want even before we know we want it. If the download is a bit slow, we get impatient. And heaven forbid if the overnight delivery arrives an hour or two or (oh, no!) a day late.
Impatience. Is it a virtue?
Such as continually contacting the city about flooding, sewage, or road condition issues. Or sending daily emails to the authorities about safety issues in your neighborhood. More importantly, we might move beyond impatience as we wait (and wait and wait) for social justice to be addressed and achieved. At moments like this, perhaps better words would be righteous outrage. Sometimes, impatience might lead to effective and appropriate action to achieve a higher goal for the community.
Perseverance can lead to something bigger. This short video reminds us to believe in ourselves (and others) when we think what we want seems impossible to reach.
Impatience. Is it narcissistic?
Too often, though, an act of impatience has less to do with urgency and more about our unrealistic (maybe even me-centered) expectations for the world.
* The slow car in front of us. (How dare she get in my way!)
* The long hold time for a customer service representative. (Idiots!)
* The delay in our weekly garbage pickup after a major storm. (The city ignored me again!)
* The office meeting that tabled your idea until next month. (What a freaking waste of my time!)
In such instances, impatience is not necessarily a sign of superior expectations or elite standards or proof of superb discipline or work ethic. It can signify expected privilege, insecurity, or lack of respect for self and others.
Such instances can derail collaboration, empathy, and goodwill.
Yes, impatience can move the needle for good. At other times, impatience might be a code word for unrealistic assumptions about the present moment about what we desire. We expend energy on negative reactions rather than positive responses. We hinder rather than help. We falter rather than persevere. The community (the broader us loses).
- About the Author
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I invested 33-fulfilling years of my life as a classroom teacher. Starting with 7th-grade students and ending with college students. Along the way, I have written thirteen (published) books, written and recorded two music CDs, have written an upbeat blog since May of 2010, produced a monthly podcast channel (for five years), and created original videos for my YouTube channel (for more than a decade). I have had the pleasure and honor to deliver keynote talks and workshop facilitations in every region of the United States. I recently completed the manuscript for my first novel and am currently seeking representation for that work.
One of my community service activities sees me working with the Baptist Medical Center Beaches Pet Therapy Program. This worthwhile service brings smiles and comfort to staff, patients, and family members.
Why do I do what I do? Conversation (true dialogue) has become a lost art. Collective monologues have taken center stage. Authentic questions about the person in front of us have given way to either diatribes or inarticulate silence. I believe to build community we must have meaningful, at times difficult, and yet respectful conversations about people, places, and purpose. Before we can do that, we must see the person in front of us.
One Response
Nice to read the work of a true thinker.