The Truth About Patience

Dwain Wellington Rattray
Pride Contributing Editor

In every healthy situation, change is inevitable. Change keeps us relevant; change helps us to grow. The harsh reality however, is that sometimes change does not produce a better product, mindset or society. This is the case with the surge of a popcorn attitude. Many of our young people cannot comprehend the idea of having to fast-forward and/or rewind a cassette or video tape to get to a desired spot – and having to be patient in doing so! Mp3 players and discs provide the opportunity to instantly navigate to any section of an audio or visual medium.

With the advent of the internet available at our fingertips, the ability – or more correctly, the desire – to simply wait a moment for a task to be completed is a thing of antiquity. Technology has spoiled us into believing that immediate reward is to be hallowed, while delayed gratification is to be shunned. To be clear, I am not advocating a boycott of all things technological and progressive; I do not suggest that there is no value in expediency. But what is disturbingly apparent is that an entire cross-section of society is determined to simply, “Do it fast.” This is the case, often without regard to any possible consequences. But I daresay: Speed and excellence are not often friends. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast – This is the mantra of the most highly trained men and women across the world.

Some argue Generation Y’s selfish attitude, fueled by society’s acceptance of mediocrity and borderline narcissism, has contributed to the phenomenon of continual impatience. The truth is that Millennials are often unwilling to put in the work required to generate laudable results. In the event that one door doesn’t open, the thought is not to find a window or build your own door, rather, to find and attempt entry into a completely different room, or house. There is no time to “waste” on understanding why the door isn’t opening as fast as desired. Move, move, move!

For many Millennials and those converted to the popcorn gospel, persistent effort toward a singular goal is archaic and to be flushed down the drainpipes of history. Patience is seen as a filthy practice soon to be corralled with servitude and indentured labour. In reality, the person who learns patience is far more likely to have a holistically successful life than an acolyte of the popcorn gospel. There is power to be found in persistence; there is character to be built in constancy. What is most surprising is that as mankind becomes more intelligent, we seem to further ignore the most basic lessons. Take a moment to observe nature and you will see the evidence of patient, persistent work producing best results. Whether you look to the beaver building a dam or you investigate Canadian Geese flying south for winter, you will discover an attitude of patient persistence.

Today, and into this week, examine how this attitude can become yours and how you can transfer it to your brothers and sisters, your sons and daughters. This article will be published on January 22, the birth date of the late Sam Cooke, one of the founders of the musical genre known as “Soul” and often regaled as the “King of Soul.” I challenge you dear reader to take time to listen to one piece from his repertoire as a metronome to centre yourself. When you have done this, share that experience with another, and together we can reclaim the quality of indefatigability – that elusive idea of tireless persistence.