A Lesson in Patience

Some of the many blessings modern technology brings into our earthly existence are that it makes things easy for us. We have only to push a button here and there and presto! We get the things we need at once. No hassle, no sweat. However, this kind of lifestyle created an “instant mentality” syndrome in some of us, the consequence of which is that it makes us impatience of results. We want things done at once. We regard it a waste of time to wait. We want to be always on the go.

I am one of those people who have got this kind of seemingly incurable illness. There are times when I feel the need to slow down and take things easily, to be quiet and to exercise a bit of patience (of which I somehow lack to a great degree) with myself as well as others. I might as well have a friend named Patience to nudge me every now and then, urging me to stay cool and take things easy especially on situations I would find my sense of perseverance evaporating into thin air.

I was driving out of the parking area one day when I realized I lost my car park card the moment I reached the exit gate. I looked and searched everywhere – under the car seat, inside my pocket, my wallet, but the card was nowhere to be found. I felt so embarrassed at the long queue of motorists that got stuck behind me but I could not do anything about it. Finally, I asked the security guard’s help to guide me as I back the car. I parked temporarily at one side and inspected the place where I earlier parked my car. There was no card there. I looked inside my bag of groceries, inspected my pocket (again), the driver’s seat. There was no card to be found. I was about to give up when I suddenly noticed something white sticking out under the front seat of the passenger’s side of the car. It was the card! How come I did not notice it at once? I felt so awful thinking of the time wasted. I could have been home already at this moment, I told myself. I made the round again towards the exit. This time the queue of cars going out was much longer. It took me almost thirty minutes before I finally got out. A simple lesson in patience? You bet it was. I went home philosophizing that I needed the jolt to shape me up. Thanks, my friend.

A friend once commented that modern technology also shapes our way of communicating with people. He observes that because we have been so used in getting and receiving things instantly, our level of tolerance and perseverance is very low. Since we are accustomed to instant communication and information, we have little patience with people who are slow. He further laments the fact that the personal touch in communicating has somewhat diminished because of the presence of electronic communication that does not require us to be present all the time while communicating with others. The Internet, telephone, text messaging, oftentimes acts as substitutes for our appearance. He concedes that these technologies are very important and necessary to facilitate communication and information but should not hinder us in establishing and deepening meaningful relationships.

Well, there is some truth in what my friend said, but I do not agree with him all the way. Maybe the “instant mentality” syndrome has affected our lifestyle but I believe the virtues of tolerance, patience and perseverance are still ingrained in our value system. Perhaps what we need are jolts every now and then to keep us aware of the need for patience especially at times when we feel like giving up.