Patience

I get to practice patience every day. As I said I have a 2 1/2 year old, and she is excellent at trying my patience, as a matter of fact, while I am typing, she is on my lap and the computer is on hers, (per her instruction).  Marley is a huge helper, always helping me mop the floors, clean the bathrooms, wash the windows, do the laundry and cook, especially when I use things like the stand mixer of food processor, she loves the buttons.  I used to get aggravated with her, because lets face it, when you are used to just motoring through and getting it done, slowing down to teach her and wait for her is time consuming in an already over loaded day. 

But then I read the Lao-Tzu quote about patience being one of the greatest treasures, and I realized again, that patience is about perception.  The problem is not that Marley wants to help me, the problem is that I am used to doing things my own way, and when that doesn't happen it makes me, and most of us annoyed at best, as a result, we become short on patience.

When I  am able to be mindful of the journey, it makes the chore much more enjoyable.  When I can find joy in Marley covered in flour and the pizza dough on the floor, I am able to laugh about it and start again with no resentments.  Not to mention, those of you who know Marley know how funny she is, so this alone, if I am attending to the moment, and not just rushing through to get to the finish line, is enough to bring joy.  As a result my stress level goes down and my relationship with my family gets better.

So I am going to make a promise to you, and if you are so moved, please comment and do the same:  

I pinky promise, that I will stay in the moment, practice mindfulness, and move to be more patient and accepting of the world around me, and I double dog dare you to do the same!! 

Namaste