I'Mpatient

I had the chance to study Pres. Uchtdorf talk from the Priesthood session this past week & he made a statement that has caused me to pause and take stock of my life.

impatience(ever noticed the I'M at the first): "is a symptom of selfishness. It is a trait of the self-absorbed. It arises from the all too prevalent condition called 'center of the universe' syndrome, which leads people to believe that the world revolves around them and that all others are just supporting cast in the grand theater of mortality in which only they have the starring role."

Take a trip back in time with me...
Remember when if you wanted to watch a t.v show later you had to put your tape in a push record? What about that new song on the radio, where once you heard it you had to wait hours to hear it again? Or how fast you unwrap the shrink wrap on the new CD you have been waiting for. I was young but I still remember when this was life.

Back to the present...
We live in a world where everything has become instant- You can download a song or new CD even before it's release date , watch a new movie on your t.v (who needs to go to the movies anymore) DVR (oh and if you don't have DVR just watch it online), instant messaging, email, text, cell phones which can reach most people most places-it seems that we should never have to wait.

If we have to wait, we catch an attitude. But why? What is so unappealing about waiting? Where is the harm in standing in a line at the grocery store over using the self-checkout or slowing down on the freeway? (The cars you fly by always seem to catch up to you @ the next red light anyways). Does getting everything quickly ensure satisfaction? If I eliminate the wait time, am I guaranteed happiness?

For those of you who didn’t skim through this post to instantly determine its purpose, the answer to the question above is “no.” Instant gratification doesn’t equal instant satisfaction. In fact, the faster and easier we obtain things, the less value they possess. Having the ability to wait and exercise patience helps us become more appreciative; after waiting for so long we realize the value of something upon receiving it.

So I challenge myself to be a little bit more patient, enjoy the moment, live in the present and maybe I will be able to get over my “center of the universe” syndrome & notice that my life is taking place right now & en-JOY it. Maybe, just maybe if I can become a little bit more patient in all aspects of my life the wait will be worth it:) Join me if you'd like.