Ponderings: On Patience

In 2014, Jo_Goldsmith11 took it upon herself to initiate the Light2Love Project Good Words.

Jo pledged to use good words and publish articles used to empower, encourage, support and defend those who need to be shown love.

Jo offered us a good word for each week to focus our thoughts, behaviors and actions on...In the 20th week, Jo wrote her perspective on the word patience.

However, as 2014 came to an end, Jo filed away her Good Word articles - as she begins the process of publishing it in e-book'. Shyron E. Shenko continues to write a beautiful poem to accompany each Good Word to inspire and lead us.

The ripple effect of the Good Words Project throughout the HubVille community has been heartwarming.

Please join me with some of my musical thoughts and reflections on the word patience...

I wasn't born with the patience gene... nor did it even run in the family.

"Are we almost there yet...?"

"How long is this going to take...?"

"Wonder what's keeping them...I'm here waiting and on time."

Will I ever...graduate - have a steady boyfriend - get married - pass my nursing boards - get a job as a nurse - be a great nurse- get a promotion- oh, the list was endless ...

I was even impatient that nothing exciting ever happened to me.

At the age of 37, my life would dramatically change.

In June, 1999, I was held captive with a nursing colleague behind a locked office door by a drug-impaired gunman for 46-hours.

I was injured badly. I was frightened and anxious for my friend and myself. I was angry at this man who was behaving so dangerously and erratically with our lives and freedoms.

More than anything else, I felt an initial and overwhelming sense of impatience...!

Despite the peril my life was in, I felt a great annoyance at this man who was literally and figuratively holding me up from accomplishing what I had planned to do this day at work.

I realized as hour after hour passed that my survival did not remotely depend upon the accomplishment of as many goals as possible, as quickly as possible - which, to date, had been my modus operandi.

And fifteen years later, I recognize one of the gifts I received in surviving this trauma is an appreciation of and ability to demonstrate patience in all life circumstances - ranging from the unexpected to the absurd.

Traffic jams - long lines in the grocery store - waiting for the friend who always runs late - the doctor's office - heck, any appointment for that matter - meeting whatever personal or professional challenge I have set for myself... Former reasons for impatience have become opportunities for perspective.

My life experience has taught me the power and importance of gratitude as well.

© Maria Jordan (December, 2014)