rediscovering patience in a modern world

Do you feel like people are a little less patient these days?

I was a Public Librarian for many years.  When I first went into the profession, I shone with the glowing optimism of one who felt their work was important to the community.  This optimism lasted for quite a few years, but over time I started to perceive an increase in demands and expectations from my service.  Many people asked “can’t you just do it for me?” or “what’s taking so long?’.  Instant gratification was the only acceptable outcome to their query, and I couldn’t help but find it disheartening and draining.  My own patience was wearing thin dealing with their impatience, and so I stepped back from the profession to take stock and recharge, and shift my focus to a slower and more creative pace of life. 

I’m sure that the reasons for this development are many - smart phones, on-demand everything, 24/7 everything else!  No wonder we all feel so edgy and worn out.  The speed of modern life means we are able (and expected) to cram much more into our days than our parents or grandparents.  But at what cost? And who wants time to fly by so quickly, unnoticed, and unappreciated?  I don’t.

This weekend I’m going to practice patience.  Stand in that line, gaze out that window, wait quietly for something to happen, and savour every second.

meg.