I’ve been thinking today about patience.
I came across this quote a few days ago. It’s from Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse.
Here’s a bit more of the exchange between the protagonist and the merchant:
“Everyone gives what he has. The warrior gives strength, the merchant
gives merchandise, the teacher teachings, the farmer rice, the fisher
fish.”“Yes indeed. And what is it now what you’ve got to give? What is it
that you’ve learned, what you’re able to do?”“I can think. I can wait. I can fast.”
“That’s everything?”
“I believe, that’s everything!”
I’ve been reflecting on this quote because I feel like I’m continually relearning patience and discipline: the discipline to examine the stories I tell myself, and the patience to act with gratitude and humility in the space between my effort and my results.
These are not easy lessons, and I seem to need to learn them over and over.
But here’s what I’ve learned lately: there is incredibly strength in patience. By choosing good beliefs, rooting yourself firmly in them, you can calm your worry and get back to work.
And the work, over the long term, applied consistently with the belief that it will bear fruit, is what turns goals into achievements.
So, stay encouraged and stay with the work.
