This
morning, I was faced with the ultimate test of self-control.
Counting to 10 and chanting 'Om' 3 times did
help to some extent. But apparently, my plight was synonymous to that of a
boiling kettle.
I had spent precisely 20 minutes, waiting for the building lift. 20
godforsaken minutes!
But I managed to remain sober. It took every ounce of my endurance capacity, this task. But yes, I made it through. My mum would be so proud if she'd known that I was able to keep my cool. My patience was literally at its superlative best.
Of course, the ability to be patient, doesn't come that easy to most of us.
Very few have the willingness to suppress their annoyance when confronted with a delay of some sort.
Patience involves tolerance, composure and trust me, a whole lot of strength! To keep myself from venting the frustration at my fellow lift buddy was one herculean task. It is an art. Not everyone is born with it.
Patience is a learned virtue.
Now, Mumbai city, in my opinion, is the best place to learn this virtue. Almost every facet of a Mumbaikar's life involves WAITING. And if you don't know how to, then God help you.
If I may add, some instances would be :
- Waiting at the 3 foot long ATM line.
- Waiting for the auto rickshaws. Yes, sadly we are at their mercy quite often.
- Waiting at the railway platform since the chances of local trains being on time in this city, are remote. Very remote.
- Waiting at the restaurants because the cooks seem to take forever. We've all overheard this and may have said so numerous times, ''Sabji laane gaya hai, ki banane gaya hai!''
- Waiting for the lady at a government office who takes her own sweet time because obviously discussing recipes with a colleague is much more important than attending to your query!
- Keeping in mind our current scenario, waiting eagerly for a transition from the scorching heat to the monsoon showers! And we are all aware of the enormous amount of patience this needs.
I am not complaining, neither am I ranting.
In fact, these aspects of our city teach us something new each day. Unfortunately, more often than not, we consider anger to be an easier option in comparison to patience.
Displacement of irritation is easy. Self-restraint is what really tests your waters.
The former has seldom done any good. All it will leave you with is a hot head and some fuming people around you extending those nasty looks.
The latter will somewhat give you a sense of achievement. For if you have learned patience, you have learned the solutions to the bizarre questions that life offers. You have found the key to unlock the door of calmness and sobriety.
And as they say, ''Patience will bear sweet fruits, always.''
A misconception to be cleared.
Being patient does not mean you are submissive or that you are giving in to the situation. Instead, being patient emphasizes your capability to deal with an annoying situation in the most civil manner possible.
Patient people are loved and looked upon a great deal.
Piping in a political example, the recent fast by Anna Hazare most definitely required patience in plenty. He never gave up, though no doubt it would've been the easier way out. But perseverance was his sole motive. And his stint did yield good results.
Well, bottom line is thus, anger will get you nowhere. In today's day and age, patience should be your new best friend. Embrace it.
Learn to breathe. Don't work yourself up, for it is fruitless.
In this fast paced society that we live in, Patience, my friend, is your survival strategy. The best one.
