photo courtesy of: http://iheart7.com/2011/11/giving-children-their-privacy-nablopomo/
WE were at a stand off. I wanted her to do it, and she was refusing. Resolution was nowhere in sight. So I gave up, because this week of all weeks is not the week to stand my ground. Because this week, I lost something very important to me.
I lost something I value greatly, something that helps me through each and every day, something I could not live without. I lost: my patience.
It happens. (Often.) It happens when I start picking up the house and realize I am pretty much the only one who picks up the house.
It happens when I can’t get my Excel spread sheet to print the way I want it to print.
It happens nearly every time I’m in line at the grocery store deli counter (seriously, can these sweet old ladies not move a little faster?). And it happened this morning when my daughter refused to write a thank you note to her teacher for Teacher Appreciation Day.
It’s not that my daughter doesn’t like her teacher. It’s not that my daughter isn’t appreciative or thoughtful. It’s all because the paper the school designated for the teacher notes had the Cat in the Hat on it (it’s also Dr. Seuss week!). As if, writing a note on this paper was an endorsement for Dr. Seuss, her apparent fear.
It’s times likes these when I should be flexible. Creative. Offer a different sheet of paper for goodness sake. But the whole thing was so ridiculous that at first I chose to stand my ground. And so did my girl. And guess where we got? Nowhere.
It’s what happens when we lose our patience, get mad, decide to stand firm in what we want, instead of seeking out a compromise. When we get caught up in the moment and forget the big picture.
What to do in such situations? How do we find the very thing we need desperately, our patience, when our week goes crazy, when our children won’t cooperate, when the pounds take so long to fall off even though we’re working so hard to lose them?
I’m obviously not an expert. I don’t have a magic formula (and if I did, you might laugh since I shot my credibility on this topic three paragraphs up). So instead, I’ll offer this. When I am feeling impatient, angry, frustrated, I find it’s best when I:
1-Pause. 2-Breathe. 3-Let go. 4-Remind myself that it could always be worse.
Most of the things I get impatient about are small things. Tiny irritants within my day. Things not even that worth their weight in negative energy. I could have forced my daughter to write a note for her teacher. If I had there would surely have been tears and yelling and it’s possible I would have lost the battle.
So instead I thought to myself: this won’t matter in a year. A week. A day even (her poor teacher, I’m going to have to step up the end-of-school-year gift!). In the grand scheme, most of what makes us crazy are small things.
My daughter is independent. Opinionated. Quirky. She’s also funny, smart, and beats to the sound of her own drum, all qualities I respect. So when I felt my frustration rising this morning, for her sake and mine, I had to make the decision to pause, breathe and let go.
Once I did that, things got better. I told my girl I’d leave the decision to her. My daughter apologized for getting mad and got on the bus happily (sans a Cat in the Hat note). And I remembered it could be worse. I could be where I was a year ago today: helping her with the final touches on her science fair board. And that would have taken much, much more patience.
Perspective is key. Let’s give ourselves a laugh today. What have you lost your patience over this week and how could it be worse?
The Writer Tracy 
Oh, how I can identify with this! Thanks for sharing!
Oh Ellen, Thanks for saying that. It really makes me feel better to know that I am not alone in the craziness! 🙂
We cultivate where we focus our energy. New age-y? Yes. Truth? Absolutely, in my case. There have been so many times over the past week where I have felt the need to stir the pot, bring the frothing stew to a rolling boil. Now that you mention it, they do move ridiculously slow at the deli counter 😉
I think my patience has been lost in that metaphorical junk drawer that everyone seems to have in their house. Piled beneath all the minutiae of the day, it is out of sight, out of mind. And out of practice.
Ironically, it’s when I lose my patience (which also happens more often than permissible) that I am able to recognize, appreciate, and course correct. And the next loss of patience takes just a bit longer to appear on the horizon.
I just got back from the grocery store to buy a sandwich from the deli. Took a little longer than usual, they thanked me for my patience when they were done. I guess your words truly did help me today 😉
HA, glad you were able to get your sandwich without peril! I actually tend to be a patient person, until I get too busy or too stressed and then my mind begins to spin. But like you, I tend to lose my patience and then after I reel myself back in it seems things go smoothly, for awhile, and then….I find myself back at the deli counter and breathing. Maybe, I should just forgo the deli meat. LOL!
LOL more often…. it’s really for the best for all concerned. Have you heard any of the PL videos? They can be contagiously funny…. best of luck!
Thanks so much for your comment. I have not heard of the PL videos but will check them out. Laughter is definitely the best medicine!
It stands for the Punchy Lands. 🙂
Wonderful Tracy!… I see you are a very understanding individul and a great Mom …goodness must run in your family .
Thank you Janice. I don’t know how understanding I am, but motherhood sure teaches you a thing or two about patience! 😉 Wouldn’t change it for the world though, I have 3 great daughters and am so blessed by them.
I appreciate your wit and realness here, Tracy. I can DEFINITELY relate in so many ways! I also get “caught up in the moment and forget the big picture.” Thank you for the reminder to stop, breathe, let go and remember…;)
Thanks for your comment Meredith. Family life just gives me so much writing material. 😉 And, they’ve extended the deadline for the Cat in the Hat comments so I am going to (gently) try again today. Wish me luck!
Haha…good luck with that, Tracy! 😉