Patience Without Judgement
As I sat in the hospital lobby, I looked around and noticed that there were some people who were sleeping, some were working on their computer while others were talking on their phone. There was also a woman who was incessantly talking to her adult son while showing him pictures on her cell phone (which he clearly could have cared less about).
Even though everyone was doing a different activity, there was one thing we shared in common. Patience. No matter how long it took for us to wait on the patient we were there to see, we were all in accord with doing whatever we needed to do to bide our time, wait on our person, and remain patient.
How many times have you ever been out of sync with others who had the same cause but went about doing activities that were different from yours? Did they go about the project differently by doing something that you may not have been in agreement with, but in the end they got the job done? Were you patient during the process or were you a disruptor who always had an objection and always wanted things done your way?
We have all experienced the thinking that our way is the better way. When I was at the hospital that day waiting in the lobby, I was thinking that I would never stretch out on a couch and take up all the space so that I could sleep. I would never have been on the phone to the point where everyone in the waiting room could hear my conversation, nor would I continue to talk about pictures on my phone to one of my kids who had no interest. But, here lies the difference between what I do as compared to what others do.
What I do to remain calm, serene and keep busy is right for me. I choose to be quiet. I might watch the TV that is playing in the room. If I need to make a call, I will step outside. I don’t want to disturb others nor allow them to be privy to my phone conversation. I will work on my computer, but I will not take up several outlets to charge up all my electronic devices as I’ve seen others do. I am thoughtful, or at least I think I am. Even though I don’t necessarily agree with other peoples methods of how they spend their time in a hospital, I understand that in the end, we are all there for the same goal.
So, think about this: The next time, you feel yourself becoming quick to judge before having all of the facts, consider doing like I did in that hospital lobby. Sit. Wait. Observe and be patient. Let the person go through the process the same way you are assessing the situation in your head.
Remember, patience is an art. We may not all be Picasso’s but we all have the skills to start practicing the art of patience without being quick to judge.
