Thursday, July 1, 2010

All We Need Is Just A Little Patience

Patience. Well, that's the song of the hour isn't it. If you're not familiar, it's a favorite in our house. Google search it and give 'er a listen. It's a "goodie" from Guns N Roses. I use it as a motivator in so much. You see, I am the world's least patient person. My lack of patience has guided so many decisions in my life. And that word, "patience" has been looming in the air for days it seems, more than usual.

With age I've learned to appreciate patience. Good thing, because my husband is the single most patient man in the universe. Tis true. It's paid off in a big way for him too. Once he makes a decision, you know it's a well thought out, planned, strategic, wise decision. You know he's really been patient with his plan and executes it brilliantly (most times). I have had to learn to fight the urge to give into temptation. I have always just been disgusted with the idea of waiting for anything. Which, if we're being honest, is a pretty accurate description of our society today. It's the old Veruca Salt-way-of-thinking "I want it NOW". It applies to everything if you let it. I have to consciously decide NOT to let it. As it turns out, that's not so easy.

For example, food. I won't spend too much time on this little "instant gratification treasure" that fills so many voids. I'll just say that it's easy to WANT a "fix" involving chocolate and peanut butter, and go grab one. DEVOUR it, and get a little high. But, then it's gone and the tummy ache comes (or not, depending on your will power to eat just one treat) and the guilt arrives. It's more satisfying however, to wait and dedicate a special time for the treat. Like for instance, choosing a day of the week as an "off day" or a "lazy day" or however you chose to title it. THAT'S the day for endless peanut butter concoctions and chocolate deliciousness. Or maybe just occasionally indulging in your treat of choice as a reward, or a special occasion. I find it hard to wait it out. But, like anything I suppose you have to do it 21 times to call it a habit. It's getting past like the 7th? time that is tough for me.

Buying things is another big one. I find it hard not to satisfy that urge immediately. The challenge of a budget has been one of the greatest adventures with which I've been blessed to be presented. I am frugal. I know this. BUT, teaching myself to research something, shop around, save for it, sometimes go into a store and PICK IT UP and LOOK AT IT and PUT IT BACK DOWN, to think some more has been amazingly refreshing. This tactic is something that I'm trying to teach my children early. Don't go buy it because you want it. Find a good deal. Find a coupon. Heck, find an opinion. If you still want it badly enough, you'll find a way to make it work. Thank you, dear sweet husband for having such a hand in my learning that lesson as well! And, I am happy to say that at my last visit to the grocery store I saved over $44 with coupons and my kids and I danced right there at the checkout, in front of everyone. It felt AMAZING. I had to plan it out. I had to be patient and find deals online, print coupons, and spend over an hour and a half searching the isles for the best deals that combined with some coupons I already had. But, it paid off, literally. Like everything else, I do not know how to do it small. I have to do it big. I can't just save on diapers. I have to save in EVERY department to feel like I'm accomplishing anything. Now, I won't leave the house to shop unless I've checked to see if I can find a coupon for the store in which I will be shopping. If I don't give it my all, what's the point. (It may be an honorable way to live, but it can be exhausting.)

Which brings me to working out. I love working out. I love taking the time for myself. I love the high as much as I love the one that I get from the peanut butter chocolate combo, and the saving with coupons. I become obsessed with wanting to go for another run. I want to go further, push harder, go faster, run longer, or lift more. I want big strong manly arms. That grosses most people out. But for some reason I have always wanted men to be afraid of me punching them in the eye. NOT that I would ever do that. I just want them to take note that I could, and it would hurt. Like everything else, to achieve these goals, you have to have...? Patience. That's right. There's that sneaky little word again, creepin up into my desires. It's challenging the ways in which I am so stuck.

Sometimes, your body says "stop". I ran 5k two days ago. It felt amazing. I have been working hard to make it happen. And I did it. I was with a few of my favorite life long girlfriends, and we giggled, and ran and it just felt like I shouldn't ever stop. Unfortunately, my body would disagree. My body is now making me be patient. I injured my foot somehow and now I am limping. Isn't it funny how God sends these little lessons to us? Now, I am motivated to spend the time I would've spent (preparing to, and) running, researching my goals and the strategy to best get me to reach them. Instant gratification will absolutely NOT work, no matter how frustrated I am. NO matter how much I want to get up and go do it again, I cannot physically do it. So, I am forced to use the "p" word. I am learning patience in yet another facet of my life.

Wikipedia says: Patience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. It is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast.

I suppose I would rather be steadfast than instantly gratifying. I think. ;) The chocolate covered peanut butter deliciousness definitely tastes better after craving it for a while.

2 comments:

  1. So true! You are doing wonderfully, but you need to let your foot heal. Patience isn't easy but it definitely pays off in the end.

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  2. I couldn't agree more, nothing is better for the soul than a good old run. Working out always feels so exhilarating !!!

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