Patience...Wimps Need Not Apply

Patience...what is that? Oh I know...it's that thing that I don't naturally have and always lose...yeah that's it. Honestly, I used to applaud myself for not going off on someone all the way or only huffing and puffing and not yelling my way through a conversation. Patience is much deeper than that. Patience requires us to do something pretty crucial...it requires us to grow in maturity - patience is not for wimps.

There is no question that when you practice patience you make everyone around you breathe easier, but I have also come to realize that practicing patience helps you to be a better friend...to yourself. Why are you beating yourself up for not paying off your $10,000 debt in one year when it took seven to accumulate? Is giving yourself disapproving looks in the mirror doing much to help you reach your fitness goals? You just broke off an unhealthy relationship this past spring and you expected to have a perfect snuggle bunny for the winter? Talk about pressure!

We should always look inward, take self-assessments and strive to be our best, but being impatient with others and ourselves only slows up the process. Maybe the man sitting next to you on the train didn't mean to bump into you when he sat down and maybe a smile from you would change the direction of his entire day. Maybe your baby girl really did think she was adding "character" to her room by drawing a tree on the wall (flashback:). Maybe your boss has a lot on his mind and on his shoulders right now and wasn't intentionally being rude...just maybe.

We don't have to practice patience alone. We have a perfect example in the Lord. I don't know about you but I know that He practices patience with me everyday and He never fails. Mistake after mistake, fall after fall and hurt after hurt He is right there to pick up the pieces. "It's ok...just try again." So the house is a mess, the kids are all over the place, money is everywhere except in your bank account, and those jeans haven't fit since your last year in college...it's ok...just try again.

Be Quiet

You are taught to do it in school, the phrase "pick your battles" is thrown around all the time and there are several Bible scriptures on the phrase...but yet and still; it is one of the hardest things to do. Well at least it is for me - it is always that thing that I plan to do next time. But if it's on my mind then that must mean it has to be said...right?...think again.

I have lost count of the amount of times I have regretted the words that have come out of my mouth. At times it takes weeks or even months to want to "take it back" but a lot of times I start to wish I could have a "do-over" only seconds after I close my mouth. Unless someone is in immediate danger, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to pray and sleep on a lot of what is on our heart before we blurt it out.

I'm challenging myself and all of the Prima Donnas to take a week off from meaningless chatter. It if doesn't absolutely have to be said right away...then don't say it. I'm serious - aside from "FIRE" "WATCH OUT" "HELP" or a combination of the three...take some time out to think about every word that comes to mind.

Granted life is too fast to mentally dissect everything before you say it, but I bet that a good solid week of re-evaluation will put a lot of things into perspective. You will realize that a quieter mouth means a clearer mind and a more peaceful heart. It may also mean that you're a lot more enjoyable to be around and that your loved ones will be eager to show their appreciation for you...and all you'll have to say is "Thank You."