06.13.22 - Practice Patience

“To obstruct each other is unnatural, to feel anger at someone or turn your back on him: these are obstructions.”

- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations  (2.1) 

Monday seems to be the day we encounter the most delays, traffic, and inconveniences. It’s a day where everything takes forever and nothing seems to end. People are hungover, exhausted, and uncaffeinated. You may be that person desperately trying to get to your destination, complete your project, or run through the list of errands. You have also been that person that didn’t get enough sleep, didn’t have time for coffee, or had a list of personal affairs consuming your mental capacity. 

Exercise the patience you need in traffic when running low on sleep. Exercise patience in line at the cafe for lunch because, like you, everyone is hungry. Be patient with the delays and inconveniences so common on Mondays. These are the rare moments we see our interconnectedness as the human race. We all experience exhaustion, have somewhere to go and are all racing against the same clock to get things done.  

Slow down and find a moment to express the compassion you want when the shoe is on the other foot. When you wake up late, you are grateful to every car that lets you cut in and every green light you make. Today, be the car that gives space, and be the patient patron during the lunch rush.