Tag: patience

A Space for Kindness to Prevail.

I had to purchase a portable air conditioning unit today. My house to become unbearably hot, and given the rising temperatures and I knew I had to take action.

I initially traveled to an appliance store nearby; as it was yet early the lot was nearly empty. I had done my research prior to leaving the house, selecting just the right unit for my purposes.

My circumstances have dictated a need for frugality; I don’t often purchase unless it’s absolutely necessary.

As I arrived at the store, I approached an attendant at the counter: “Pardon, but could you please help… I’m having a little trouble.”

Do you know I selected had already sold out; prove it was by far the best purchase available. I settled upon an alternate unit, though far too heavy for one person to move.

I waited as the young woman finished with a customer. “Hi,” I smiled. “is there anyone here who might have a moment to help me.”

She rolled her eyes, irritated and said “It’s right there in front of you. What? You want me to carry it for you?”

“But it’s just a little heavy…” I try to explain.

“Well I guess you’re stuck then,” she offered rather curtly.

I walked to my car and called another store within the area. A gentleman named Ron was only too happy to help.

When I arrived, he smiled, “Miss Lemieux, how are you? I’ve got it already boxed and ready for you at the front.”

He took his time, opening the box to explain installation. “Now, if you have any troubles you just give me a call.”
he grinned.

Another young man for the rest corded me to my car making sure the unit was moved without my worry.

When I arrived home, a group of teenagers were soliciting door to door. “You need some help with that?” they called out, eager to lend a hand.

Within 15 minutes the “too big for just one to move” unit was neatly placed and installed.

All at the kindness of a few gracious strangers.

I even tried to pay them, but they refused; “My Mama raised me better than that,” the youngest returned.

As they left of their way, I thought about the young woman from the original store. So often we are tempted to respond ‘in kind’, when in fact – a little more kindness is what we need most of all.

I grabbed a few dahlias from the garden, placing them within my favorite frosted blue vase. I pulled a card from my desk drawer, and began to write. When finished, I packed up and returned to her store.

She was standing alone at the counter, her eyes fixed in a stare. I reached out, touched her hand and said, “It seemed like you were having a bad day.”

When I handed her the flowers, she began to cry; “My oldest brother died Tuesday in an accident in Kansas…” She went on to explain how she needed to work to earn the money – if there was any hope at all of making it back home.

An older gentleman standing just behind me, stepped forward with wallet in hand – offering what little he had. “It’s not much, but it’ll do in better hands.” Soon after, others in like followed in due course.

Had I not returned, this ripple of kindness would have ceased. Worse yet, the true lesson would have been lost.

Though the reaction may be tempting, to what end does it serve? Particularly, when we already know the energy we wish to share.

“Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness,” reminds author, George Shaw. “Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.”

And so, my darlings, a simple wish for today – that we may allow the space for kindness to prevail.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

Finding Our Truth Between the Two.

It’s an odd balance, isn’t it – this paradigm between patience and persistence.

On one hand, we have the energy of patience – soft, malleable, willing; a testimony to our acceptance of things just as they are.

And, on the other – is persistence, which is far more deliberate in its focus; representing our capacity to hold steady to our intentions.

But, wherever shall these two finally meet?

As Buddhists, we’re taught the necessity of patience; to recognize its place in helping to find the spaciousness within our suffering.

As Buddhists, we’re taught the necessity of patience. We recognize it’s capacity to help us find the spaciousness within our suffering. To accept our place, just as it is – without condition, without expectation, without so much worry. It’s the nurturing aspect of finding our way through.

Whereas, persistence is more deliberate, isn’t it? Requiring attention, focus, and intention. It forces our energy to the confines of ‘path’ – demanding that we act in a manner that is supportive to purpose.

One, to push; the other, to pull. And, somewhere between the two… is you.

“Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience,” shares author Hal Borland. “Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.”

I think the ‘mistake’ (if you will), is trying to view the two as separate. When, in fact, the two are inseparably intertwined.

That is to say…

With patience, we’re able to find our purpose; and with persistence, we’re able to find our way through.

One, to push; the other, to pull… and betwixt the two, we find our truth.

A little something to consider on this day, my loves ~ namaste.

The Practice of Patience.

“The two hardest tests on the spiritual road are the patience to wait for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed with what we encounter.”― Paulo Coelho

And, oh my goodness – isn’t this always the case? That we might pine and wish and long and hope only to be ‘disappointed’ with what may come our way.

It doesn’t fit…it’s not to our expectation…but, that doesn’t diminish the value of the blessing within. When we have patience enough to stay the course, my darlings, the beauty of this path will be revealed.

When I was a little girl, my mother would say, “Have patience – let things happen in the way they were intended.” Of course, to the five-year-old mind, ‘having patience’ was the most grueling of growing-up experiences. Nonetheless, it is perhaps one of the most critical of life lessons.

To have patience enough…

And, patience isn’t something we’re born with; rather, it is practiced – practiced in every instance we’re late for a meeting, stuck in traffic, or the children have made yet another mess of things.

In Buddhism, patience is motivated inwardly by our desire for peace, and outwardly in our faith and ability to accept things just as they are.

This morning was a bit of a test for me. With a looming ice storm and a website rendered obsolete, I could have easily succumbed to the desperate draw of emotion. But, in doing so – I would have most certainly lost my ‘way.’

To have courage enough…

And, my goodness – isn’t every moment a test? An opportunity to reaffirm our willingness to connect deeply with the fullness of life at this moment.

Knowing, in time, the true blessing will soon be revealed.

Are You Willing to Wait for the Blessing?

“If you are faced with an unpleasant person or situation that you can do nothing about, bless the situation. Bless the person and know and believe some good will come from it.

All of us have seen good come out of disaster…the ‘blessing in disguise.’

When you expect good to come from negativity, it will. What you think about, you bring about.” – Joyce Duco

I was watching a documentary recently, in which actor, George Takei offered without hesitation, “I, in my own life, am the recipient of optimistic thinking.”

In looking back through my own life I find, countless instances in which a perceived misfortune turned out to be my greatest blessing. As if the experience was its own catalyst.

And yet, how easily we lose sight in the ‘thick of the moment’; far too impatient to let the blessings unfold.

Until one day, when we realize – that within each moment, there is a gift.

So, the question then becomes – are you willing to wait for the blessing?

Making Patience Our Practice.

[blockquote source=”Christina Feldman”]”When our eyes and hearts are open, we glimpse buddhanature shining in countless moments.”[/blockquote]

I watched a young woman in line for coffee today – well dressed, and ready for work, with blackberry firmly strapped to her hand. At just 6:30 a.m., she was already engaged in a heated ‘planning’ session.

She was waiting for her drink order – a Grande Spiced Pumpkin Latte, double espresso, with extra whipped cream. As the moments passed, I could see her anxiety building – at first, the familiar pinch of restlessness, growing quickly to the burden of haste.

And though, it was only a matter of a few moments – to her, the delay was intolerable. She was so caught up in the energy of irritation that she missed the most precious little girl tugging at her skirt,

“Mommy, are you mad?” she asked.

Sometimes, we’re so eager to move onto the next big thing – that we end up missing the blessing in this moment now. As author Tara Brach so eloquently stated, ” If this is our habitual reaction to delay, we are at war with many of our life moments.”

Indeed, in our haste to move forward – we lose touch with life’s much simpler things. We shut down, close off, constrict – all, in an effort to pull away from life’s edginess.

To be patient, we must learn not to escalate our emotions…something, much easier said than done.

You know, the other day I was so very proud of my darling daughter – who called me on her walk home from work.

“Mom, you have to see the sky tonight!” she chattered on excitedly – as if seeing a sunset for the very first time.

Impatience can be such a terrible thief, my darlings – robbing us of the miracle of all those ‘first times.’

Perhaps, we might learn to make patience our practice? Instead of rushing so quickly forward into that next big thing?