Patience is a Virtue…

… or so I’ve been told. But what does this really mean? And what’s a virtue?

Sometimes I think people just hear these quotes/expressions and use them without even thinking.

Well, I looked it up. And Dictionary.com gives the following definitions:

virtue: [vur-choo]

1. moral excellence; goodness; righteousness.
2. conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical principles; uprightness; rectitude.
3. a particular moral excellence.
4. a good or admirable quality or property: the virtue of knowing one’s weaknesses.
5. manly excellence; valor.

Patience has never been one of my strengths, though admittedly over the years, I have had a lot of experience learning to tolerate; learning to listen; learning to hold my tongue; learning when to walk away from a situation. Is this patience? Moral excellence? Is this an admirable quality that I possess?

Hmmmm…

It’s funny cuz many people think this is one of my least admirable qualities. I wonder though, how do you identify whether you’re being rude, as opposed to being ‘patient’?

Perhaps it’s an ‘admirable quality’ to hang up the phone when you know that the next words out your mouth promise to be hurtful… scathing. Or maybe it’s ‘admirable’ to ignore a person and walk away when you’re certain that you’re on the verge of choking them should you stand before them for even one second more.

So does doing this make me a patient person? A person of excellent moral values? (And yes, the aforementioned statements ARE things I’ve done time and again.)

I can’t say that one can define morals, or admirable qualities either for that matter. I suppose it’s all simply a matter of opinion, and this blog post has become a lot of lines rambling about a topic on which I’m sure to draw a conclusion would be difficult.

Nevertheless, the quality of  ‘being patient’, that is, “the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation or the like”… I wish this for the people closest to me, who all seem to be going through a ‘trying’ time that they need to endure rather than walk away from, so that they may reap the rewards which they so rightly deserve.

I believe this ‘patience thing’ may very well be the first step to a person’s happiness… And if for any reason you feel you’re nearing your breaking point, take a deep breath (inhale… exhale)…

… and smile 🙂

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April 2011

To say that the month of April was challenging, is certainly putting it mildly. There were many moments of closed eyes, deeps breaths and admittedly, sporadic teary episodes when frankly I didn’t know what else to do!

On March 31 I went to an assignment for work. This followed a previous event I had covered, and it should have been a quick ‘in and out’. I wasn’t even there for two hours, however when I walked outside to leave, the spot where I had parked my mother’s car was empty. I’ve never felt such a feeling in the pit of my stomach… and it was with good reason, for in the trunk of the car were all my worldly possessions – netbook, camera (my livelihood… the way I make my living), my purse with my ID cards, credit card, ABM cards, too much cash, that I was to have deposited in the bank that day, and my passport (for my impending visit to Cowboy). *BIG sigh*

At this point it seemed that my world had come to an end.

But it didn’t.

And this was the reminder that was constantly drilled into my head, for in fact, the outcome of that event could have been very different.

In attempting to replace all my lost documents, I learnt several very valuable lessons. (You wouldn’t believe how difficult it is to get anything done in Jamaica by the way. I don’t wish the loss of of a licence, passport or visa on anyone!)

1. Prayer calms you… when you feel like there is absolutely no one else to turn to, TRUST ME, HE is there!
2. I am not alone – I am SO grateful for the great friends that I have, who were extremely helpful to me along the way.
3. NEVER underestimate the kindness of a stranger. I can’t tell you the number of persons who have offered their assistance… people who don’t know me, are not my ‘friends’, who simply wanted to be helpful and asked for nothing in return.
4. Faith is what gets you through each day; it gives you the encouragement to know that things will work out just the way they are supposed to.
5. Never do anything in haste. You may not see the reason in things, but sometimes it’s best to let life run its course. Que sera, sera.
6. Be patient – this is not my forte, but what else am I to do? Yes… I found solace in #1 🙂
7. I am loved, and people care.
8. Give thanks… ALWAYS.

Since my ‘heart-breaking’ incident, I’ve replaced all my documents. The final piece, my US visa should be ready for collection this week. A ‘friend’ bought me a new netbook, and all that I need now is to replace my camera so that I may pursue my new love, my new career as a photographer.

All was not lost when the car and my things were stolen. In fact, much was ‘found’ in the aftermath. I’ve discovered that I possess something more valuable that cannot be measured for its worth…

My sincerest thanks to Tara, Sharon, Kim, Kat and Gary. And Kurt, I appreciate you more than you know…

What began as a seemingly devastating moment in my life is now in the past, and the future offers nothing but promise.

People can take away material things, they can do all they can to try to hold you back and get you down, but they can’t take away your talents, your will to succeed. I am still in control… I have my hands, my mind, my heart. My boss said to me that the Lord never gives you more than you can bear… and now I’ve overcome this hurdle and I’m ready for the next.

Still Living & Loving…

Photo: Gary James