A Simpler Life: Be Patient with Yourself
Living in the suburbs has been making simple living a real challenge for me. Where I once learned how to be patient in Germany, I find myself getting overwhelmed now. Speed seems so important that we rush through things. We know we’ll have some errors, but we still keep rushing. Maybe you can guess what this week’s simpler life challenge is: be patient with yourself!
Stop and think for a moment. When have you made mistakes because you were rushed? The next question is: why were you so rushed to begin with? Chances are that in most of those situations, you can remember the exact results of being rushed. You didn’t perform very well. Chances are also that you don’t actually know why you were so rushed, right?
Take typing for example. When you type, is it quicker to do a fast, sloppy job and then go back and correct everything or is your time better spent typing better (although slower) the first time?
When we get impatient, we draw conclusions so fast. We hurt ourselves, do the dumbest things, and break things when we’re not being patient. Remember the pizza delivery companies that would guarantee a free pizza if they couldn’t deliver with enough speed? Delivery boys started getting in wrecks because they were so stressed out about delivering a silly pizza. The oddest thing about not being patient and pushing others to hurry up is how those accidents multiply our wasted time and money.
This week, I urge you to join me in trying patience. It sure beats going back and correcting things.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Another great reminder! I’m continually hurrying and having to do things over again because of it. And I have absolutely no reason whatsoever to be in a hurry…except for right now because American Idol is coming on….!
April 28th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
I wish more people were patient. I am told by others that I have a lot of patience. Patients and other people work with tell me that frequently. I guess I am blessed with the ability to be patient. I had to laugh at your comment today about maybe having more scratch and sniff photos. Too funny. You cracked me up the first time you said that.
April 28th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
I had so much fun reading your blog. I dug you out from an apron giveaway for a story about small housing. I got too absorbed reading other ladies’ stories. Yours fascinated me. I thought: well, at least you don’t have to add children to your cramped quarters. It’d be a whole lot harder. I grew up in a 2 room (1 bd US standards) apartment. When I went to visit with my family, now 4 children we had to eat in shift in the tiny kitchen. I didn’t like living in Europe at all, in the cities especially. I lived with a toddler in one hotel room for 3 months in Budapest, pregnant in Moscow, with a newborn and a toddler in Bosnia and European style housing is not a family size for sure. With my 4 children growing bigger every year it would be a challenge. Be blessed and hope you learn German. Wish I was there to capture the moment with the mixer. Hysterical! I appreciate the good ole’ USA so much after I come back from living overseas!
May 1st, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I just found your blog via Remodeling This Life (I think) and I’m so enjoying it! Going to go read some more, but I want to say hello and comment on your amazing kitchen remodel… Well done!
May 6th, 2009 at 8:11 am
When I’m rushed, I tend to break things. And bruise myself on accident. I suppose there are many benefits of slowing down!