Thursday's Thought

Patience does not come naturally to me - and I imagine many of you can say the same. Even if you are the rare breed who has learned to sit still despite the chaos and distraction of the modern age, your mind is likely always moving. When we are not busy looking forward and trying to prepare for what is next, we more than likely are preoccupied with what happened 10 minutes - or 10 years - ago. Convincing our bodies and minds to pause right where they are is a monumental challenge, but it is one I am embracing this week.

Next weekend we will leave DC for an extended visit highlighted by quality time with family, celebrating my daughter's birthday, and breaking from the demands of day-to-day life. While there is certainly much to anticipate, between now and then there are also a week's worth of moments to enjoy and savor right here: a birthday of my own to celebrate, dinner with friends, students to teach, a life to live.

Patience is more than the burden of tolerating something unpleasant. It is greater than the ability to persevere through undesirable circumstances. In its fullest expression, patience is embracing whatever beauty or lesson can be found in the present moment. And that is my aim in the week to come. Will you join me?

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