Is patience really a virtue?   This notion – the notion that patience is something that is more sought after than impatience – has been offered to me time and time again over the years to assuage my impatience.  I cannot say that I have ever enjoyed hearing it; yet, as a parent I too have utilized the phrase to assert that there is utility – indeed even virtuosity – in patience.

I can say unequivocally in retrospect from my life experiences that sometimes patience is indeed a virtue.  Patience requires one to exhibit control over wants and desires – control is good.  It is healthy to learn to forgo immediate gratification in life – what is it they say about that…oh yes, "good things come to those who wait" – those who are patient.  I have exhibited patience from time to time and good things have come – hence the theory is supported in my mind.

But is patience always a virtue?  I have never heard anyone say that impetuousness is a virtue; but isn’t passion and excitement often behind impetuous acts?  Isn’t being impetuous somewhat synonomous with living in the moment?  I can see where being impetuous as a rule would be problematic, but should patience always be the order of the day?

I think I will need to be patient and ponder this at greater length, but in the short term let me note this – patience is a virtue, passion is a gift, and I do believe happiness lies in understanding when you go with one or the other.

Day three hundred and twenty-four of the new forty – obla di obla da

Ms. C