For some months now, I've been purposely choosing the longest lines to stand in -- supermarket, movies, cash register at stores during holidays so as to "develop" patience. Then, if someone looks stressed, like a mom with kids or something, I give my place away and move back to the line or longest line.
What goes on is my mind races. I start blaming -- clerk for not being faster or organization for not having more checkers, or the lady with the coupons, the man who's visa card isn't accepted. I judge the people in front of me. I notice what a rush I'm in and question why I'm doing this. My monkey mind starts to consume me, racing with endless stream of such thoughts.
I often fail to do this process, just getting carried away by my todo list and my internal stress or "forgetting" to do it. But sometimes I learn -- my mind pauses a bit, I feel the presence of those in the line near me, I breathe a little longer. I observe my inner workings and how that affects my outward behavior. And perhaps in some subtle ways, this process may serve others too.
It's a random act of patience, you could call it.
What goes on is my mind races. I start blaming -- clerk for not being faster or organization for not having more checkers, or the lady with the coupons, the man who's visa card isn't accepted. I judge the people in front of me. I notice what a rush I'm in and question why I'm doing this. My monkey mind starts to consume me, racing with endless stream of such thoughts.
I often fail to do this process, just getting carried away by my todo list and my internal stress or "forgetting" to do it. But sometimes I learn -- my mind pauses a bit, I feel the presence of those in the line near me, I breathe a little longer. I observe my inner workings and how that affects my outward behavior. And perhaps in some subtle ways, this process may serve others too.It's a random act of patience, you could call it.
15.0K Reads
- Posted by Tenzin
- Dec 31, 2008
- Comments (43)
Readers Comments
Rajni wrote: You are using your time to save time of others. Patience is the bonus you get. You are doing a wonderful job. May others get inspired.
mikeywho wrote: I retired 5 yrs ago,never in a hurry,ever,i always tell people iam retired and never in a hurry.
Ree wrote: Love this story!
Sandy wrote: Thank you for this thought as each day i try and look for another way to show a random act of kindness. Hadn't thought about how much patience would be appreciated as well.
Rakeshpoddar wrote: Geat,i just remebered that my golf partner had stopped playing on middle of the golf tournament, leaving me alone fighting with opponent and it required too much of 'patience practing' and now the jerk my friend came back with his game and i with my broken pride is trying to be non judgemntal about the whole drama and consoling myself that i stated this game for business contacts and for fun so let it be.
But the thing is as they say drives are for show off and i played with honour and my drive made the balls go much further:) and i am hopeful that next tourney i will set new standards for the game.
But the thing is as they say drives are for show off and i played with honour and my drive made the balls go much further:) and i am hopeful that next tourney i will set new standards for the game.
Jan wrote: I do this, also, and it helps me as well as the person that i let ahead of me. I feel better because of it. More should try it. Patience works!
Samantha wrote: I think that is a great idea that i too will start doing. It makes sense, people around you can sense your calm and maybe it will in turn cause them to pause and take a breath. If even one person does that, due to your calm and patient state, then you have done the world a favor. Awesome!
LOAS wrote: I am definitely "the lady with coupons", so in behalf of us all that use them thank you for your patience. :)
Connie wrote: I call mine practising random kindness and senseless acts of beauty. It works miracles and keep me always happy. Whether i have to wait or have to assist. It always works.
Cappy wrote: Your lovely story reminds me of a story that's been shared by many - the tale of johnny, the bag boy at a small town grocery store. Johnny had some mental challenges, but he was so proud to hold down a job. One of his favorite things to do was collect positive quotes. His father would help him type them and then johnny would cut them into strips of paper.
While bagging groceries, he would say hello and let the customer know he was giving them a bit of sunshine, dropping one of the sayings into the bag. He kept a stack of them in his pocket.
Soon, people would line up in johnny's lane, hoping to get a bit of sunshine. No one seemed to mind waiting. The manager tried to get customers to come over to open registers, but they wanted to be in johnny's lane.
Amazing how a simple act of kindness and a bit of sunshine touches people with such delight.
Thanks for sharing your act of patience and kindness. A lesson we all can use.
Cappy
While bagging groceries, he would say hello and let the customer know he was giving them a bit of sunshine, dropping one of the sayings into the bag. He kept a stack of them in his pocket.
Soon, people would line up in johnny's lane, hoping to get a bit of sunshine. No one seemed to mind waiting. The manager tried to get customers to come over to open registers, but they wanted to be in johnny's lane.
Amazing how a simple act of kindness and a bit of sunshine touches people with such delight.
Thanks for sharing your act of patience and kindness. A lesson we all can use.
Cappy
