Are you afflicted with the “impatience” disease? Do you get impatient with people, things, and events in your life? I certainly do. I sometimes think that I majored in impatience in the school of life. I read the following story and found it to be very poignant and thought provoking. What do you think?
Peter was a very impatient boy, bored and always daydreaming about tomorrow and beyond. One day, a strange old woman offered him a silver ball from which flowed “the thread of his life.” By pulling the thread, he could pass by all boring things.
He accepted the “magic thread” and leapfrogged through his life, marrying his childhood sweetheart, having children, succeeding at work. He used the thread to avoid the cries of his children and every other problem he faced.
But then, one day, he was old, standing at a double grave: his mother was dead, his wife was dead. He was sad, and now realized he had rushed through his life without ever having lived it, without any memories. The old woman appeared, and when he returned the magic thread, he once again became a child, one who was now less impatient.
Author unknown
Pretty powerful stuff, isn’t it? If we could bypass those unpleasant or boring events in our lives, we think that we might be happy. However, I believe that we would discover, just as Peter did, that he would also lose other wonderful moments in life.
I have come to understand and appreciate that all experiences in life (both good and challenging) have a purpose – to teach us lessons that we need to know to live a happy and successful life. I, for one, would be the first one to say… “No more pain.” However, I know from personal experience that when my life seems the darkest, a new and wonder-filled day is coming. And soon, I forget those dark nights of the soul.
It is important that we keep the lessons but throw away the experiences.
Affirmation for the Week:
“I go bravely through the experiences in life, knowing that good things are coming for me. I arm myself with courage, and I move forward in confidence to ‘meet and greet’ all experiences and challenges that come my way.”
Have a courageous and insightful week!
Mary “Motivator” Rau-Foster