How can a society that exists on instant mashed potatoes, packaged cake mixes, frozen dinners, and instant cameras teach patience to its young?
~Paul Sweeney
Life never unfolds exactly as expected. Hoping it will is only swatting at fog. Days transpire, weeks disappear, and we are often engaging our best when we simply catch up, and catch our breath. We keep our eyes fixed on what’s coming and then accept it when it does; remain thankful for all we have that works well, and arrange to change what doesn’t.
We cannot stop life from happening. It goes on every day, with or without us. It follows us everywhere, surrounding us everywhere we go, no different from the air we breathe.
We never know how that first drift will flutter the next, so it is paramount that we regard our moments as each a possible precursor to the last; forever holding our head in the now, while never forgetting to flick our eyes at the horizon and whatever prize we’ve placed beneath, while understanding that there are few things we can simply compel to happen.
When big things happen suddenly, there is often unreasonable cost attached.
Like a tsunami, or avalanche.
Life, at its best, happens bit by tiny bit.
Does the caterpillar know what he will one day be?
Probably not.
One thing Daisy’s always said, though only now am I hearing it in the way she’s always meant it: “We mustn’t ever skip our steps.”
I love our modern world, but when I can download nearly anything I’m in the mood for, and less than a decade from losing the nearly altogether, how can I remain humble while looking patience in the eye. More important, how can I teach this to my children?
There’s an order to life, and to most things we say we want and are willing to work for. Skipping even a single step, often means misunderstanding or misapplying something in the future. If we consider we’re here only once, this seems precarious and unnecessary.
My biggest one to grow on during my twenties was patience. Fortunately, life saw fit to outfit me with the ultimate foe of an impatient man: first a girl and then a boy.
I’m more patient than I used to be, but I still have a million miles to meander.
Last Friday, I was in the middle of telling Daisy about my brand new idea – the new one. This was the one that would change everything, allow us to scale our next summit, and plant a flag deep inside all future possibility. A good fifteen minutes had passed since the last idea and, since it was getting late, it was perfectly possible that a better idea would not arrive before the dawn.
“Sweetheart,” Daisy said. She put her hand on my forearm to stop me from pacing, then pulled me down on the couch beside her. “You need to find your Friday.”
This last week saw me celebrating my new life as a full time writer by piling even more onto my ridiculously heaping plate. I tackled the week as though the Romans didn’t get it done in a day by choice. There’s something to be said for working hard and using every minute, but it’s something else when your minutes are misapplied.
We will find our success. It will happen because we are willing to wake up and give our best every day, but doing my best doesn’t always mean doing my most.
I found my Friday, and fortunately, my Saturday and Sunday sailed into the sunset right behind.
Writer Dad
Sean Platt is a ghostwriter for hire, specializing in ebook design and press releases.
Namas Daisy has a lesson from the geese. Both Daves and Tara are getting fit in front of the whole internet. Check out their awesome new blog, BLOG TO FIT.
About Sean Platt
Wonderful post. Did you take that picture? I hope you spent the time to find the opportunity to take such a beautiful moment.
It seems the only time we ever slow down is when there is a tragedy. That’s a tragedy.
Allans last blog post..Semper Fidelis
Wonderful post. Did you take that picture? I hope you spent the time to find the opportunity to take such a beautiful moment.
It seems the only time we ever slow down is when there is a tragedy. That’s a tragedy.
Allans last blog post..Semper Fidelis
patience… yes, I’m getting better at that department too but still have, as you so eloquently put it, a million miles to meander.
I can relate.
patience… yes, I’m getting better at that department too but still have, as you so eloquently put it, a million miles to meander.
I can relate.
I like that…finding your Friday. When I was gainfully employed among my fellow drones, I remember what magic Friday held – the day that stretched into forty-eight hours of possibility that belonged only to me and what I was willing to spend them on.
Slow down, sugar – your dreams may fill you with a sense of urgency, but they are so like children, each clamoring for its own piece of your attention, everyone invested in the NOW with no concept of time.
Children and dreams have no sense of “tomorrow”, bless ‘em.
Daisy is a wonder.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
Kyddryns last blog post..The Secret Place
I like that…finding your Friday. When I was gainfully employed among my fellow drones, I remember what magic Friday held – the day that stretched into forty-eight hours of possibility that belonged only to me and what I was willing to spend them on.
Slow down, sugar – your dreams may fill you with a sense of urgency, but they are so like children, each clamoring for its own piece of your attention, everyone invested in the NOW with no concept of time.
Children and dreams have no sense of “tomorrow”, bless ‘em.
Daisy is a wonder.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
Kyddryns last blog post..The Secret Place
I think I’ve said this before. You have a very smart wife. I love that “find your Friday.” I think I need to find my Friday, too. Even though it is Monday….
Kool Aids last blog post..old friends…
I think I’ve said this before. You have a very smart wife. I love that “find your Friday.” I think I need to find my Friday, too. Even though it is Monday….
Kool Aids last blog post..old friends…
Great post. patience? I think I need to improve it more. Thanks for the post. Hope to find my Friday soon.
Diana Ruperts last blog post..Water with Lemon for Weight Loss
Great post. patience? I think I need to improve it more. Thanks for the post. Hope to find my Friday soon.
Diana Ruperts last blog post..Water with Lemon for Weight Loss
It is one of the challenges of the self employed and the working at home. Creating boundaries in your life. And balance. Coaches are good for this. Creating mastermind small groups, friends that keep an eye on you, partners… there are ways…but its a good idea not to let yourself run around unchecked when you are one of the creative whirlwind types. You might find yourself swirled up in a big dustball not getting as much done as you thought you might have because all of your great ideas ate you up.
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirationss last blog post..Are you Planning for the Fog?
It is one of the challenges of the self employed and the working at home. Creating boundaries in your life. And balance. Coaches are good for this. Creating mastermind small groups, friends that keep an eye on you, partners… there are ways…but its a good idea not to let yourself run around unchecked when you are one of the creative whirlwind types. You might find yourself swirled up in a big dustball not getting as much done as you thought you might have because all of your great ideas ate you up.
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirationss last blog post..Are you Planning for the Fog?
Unlike most of us folks who live for Fridays, each one for me is a signal that screams, “Hey, look! Another week come and gone. You didn’t get anything done, did you?”
My brain has been configured in such a way that it thinks it wants something. So it’s going to make these eyes and fingers do what they’ve been doing until this goal is satisfied. If the brain realizes the eyes and fingers have taken some time off, no matter how well-deserved, it hurts. It knows “time off” is not how goals are met.
Finding Friday is easy. Actually enjoying it is the hard part. And, unfortunately, you can’t just “choose” your emotions.
Charlie Hillss last blog post..More of the Same
Unlike most of us folks who live for Fridays, each one for me is a signal that screams, “Hey, look! Another week come and gone. You didn’t get anything done, did you?”
My brain has been configured in such a way that it thinks it wants something. So it’s going to make these eyes and fingers do what they’ve been doing until this goal is satisfied. If the brain realizes the eyes and fingers have taken some time off, no matter how well-deserved, it hurts. It knows “time off” is not how goals are met.
Finding Friday is easy. Actually enjoying it is the hard part. And, unfortunately, you can’t just “choose” your emotions.
Charlie Hillss last blog post..More of the Same
Allan: I did not take the picture, but it is stunning, no doubt about it.
Vered: Sometimes we just want things yesterday, right? We could all learn to breathe a little more.
Kyddryn: Daisy is a wonder, and I am slowing down. I promise. I just have a couple more knolls to leap (which is probably what I’ll still be saying when I’m gray).
Kool Aid: I couldn’t imagine being married to another. Finding my Friday, though it is only three days old, is now one of my favorite expressions.
Wendi: No doubt about it, Wendi. I am a whirlwind, which I often see manifested in my daughter. I need to check myself not just for Daisy and I, but for Max and Mia as well.
Charlie: No, we can’t. I’ve had plenty of weekends where I felt my time off was well deserved, and I had plenty accomplished through the week, but it wasn’t enough. I still wanted to have more black lines through my list. Our brain can be quite the dictator.
Allan: I did not take the picture, but it is stunning, no doubt about it.
Vered: Sometimes we just want things yesterday, right? We could all learn to breathe a little more.
Kyddryn: Daisy is a wonder, and I am slowing down. I promise. I just have a couple more knolls to leap (which is probably what I’ll still be saying when I’m gray).
Kool Aid: I couldn’t imagine being married to another. Finding my Friday, though it is only three days old, is now one of my favorite expressions.
Wendi: No doubt about it, Wendi. I am a whirlwind, which I often see manifested in my daughter. I need to check myself not just for Daisy and I, but for Max and Mia as well.
Charlie: No, we can’t. I’ve had plenty of weekends where I felt my time off was well deserved, and I had plenty accomplished through the week, but it wasn’t enough. I still wanted to have more black lines through my list. Our brain can be quite the dictator.
“How can a society that exists on instant mashed potatoes, packaged cake mixes, frozen dinners, and instant cameras teach patience to its young? ”
I bet you they were saying the same thing in the 1920′s, when people were starting to cook with electric stoves instead of wood.
Not all progress is bad. I can see an up-side to our “Instant Food Society”.
The time you save, not having to toil for hours, cooking from scratch, can be used to read a story to your kids, to play with them in the sandbox, or take them the the playground and push them on the swingset.
I’m so GLAD some things are quicker now. We dont’ always have to embrace the “instant society”. If we want to make a cake from scratch, that’s fine. But at least we have alternatives if we dont’ want to.
(This, of course, being said by a confirmed bachelor who HATES to cook!)
“How can a society that exists on instant mashed potatoes, packaged cake mixes, frozen dinners, and instant cameras teach patience to its young? ”
I bet you they were saying the same thing in the 1920′s, when people were starting to cook with electric stoves instead of wood.
Not all progress is bad. I can see an up-side to our “Instant Food Society”.
The time you save, not having to toil for hours, cooking from scratch, can be used to read a story to your kids, to play with them in the sandbox, or take them the the playground and push them on the swingset.
I’m so GLAD some things are quicker now. We dont’ always have to embrace the “instant society”. If we want to make a cake from scratch, that’s fine. But at least we have alternatives if we dont’ want to.
(This, of course, being said by a confirmed bachelor who HATES to cook!)
You have idea ‘flurries’ every fifteen minutes as well?! Welcome to the club! :-)
There’s no doubt that it’s up to the individual to make time for the simply essential moments that don’t involve a syllabus.
Beautifully voiced, Sean. Eric.
Eric Hamms last blog post..Enduring The Road To Success: Keeping Your Feet On The Ground
You have idea ‘flurries’ every fifteen minutes as well?! Welcome to the club! :-)
There’s no doubt that it’s up to the individual to make time for the simply essential moments that don’t involve a syllabus.
Beautifully voiced, Sean. Eric.
Eric Hamms last blog post..Enduring The Road To Success: Keeping Your Feet On The Ground
Patience is on the top of my list because the wealth of treasures to dig is just so damned alluring. Every minute the shovel is out of hand is a minute “lost”. As any good archeologist knows, as you sift through each one of those shovelfulls, or even better, reduce those to miniscule scrapings, there are exquisite treasures tobe found along the way.
May your shovel always be digging, but make sure you keep your eye on the dirt.
Kip de Molls last blog post..Paradise Lost & Found
Patience is on the top of my list because the wealth of treasures to dig is just so damned alluring. Every minute the shovel is out of hand is a minute “lost”. As any good archeologist knows, as you sift through each one of those shovelfulls, or even better, reduce those to miniscule scrapings, there are exquisite treasures tobe found along the way.
May your shovel always be digging, but make sure you keep your eye on the dirt.
Kip de Molls last blog post..Paradise Lost & Found
WD, if I didn’t know any better, I would say that this was written directly to me. Am I one of your kids?
I am right with you when you said “I tackled the week as though the Romans didn’t get it done in a day by choice.” This has pretty much been the last two weeks of my life. Waking up to darkness and seeing the breaking of light the next day. It doesn’t really count as two days if you haven’t slept does it?
Patience is definately something we all need to practice; me too. My question is, how do we practice patience when we have the option to zap-fry pop tarts (it says we can on the package, just 5 seconds in the microwave)?
I do realize however that this is not a sprint, but a marathon. The best way to prepare for a marathon? Run a little each day and build up to it. When your body says rest, go rest, otherwise you will just wear yourself down.
Sals last blog post..Dream Big
WD, if I didn’t know any better, I would say that this was written directly to me. Am I one of your kids?
I am right with you when you said “I tackled the week as though the Romans didn’t get it done in a day by choice.” This has pretty much been the last two weeks of my life. Waking up to darkness and seeing the breaking of light the next day. It doesn’t really count as two days if you haven’t slept does it?
Patience is definately something we all need to practice; me too. My question is, how do we practice patience when we have the option to zap-fry pop tarts (it says we can on the package, just 5 seconds in the microwave)?
I do realize however that this is not a sprint, but a marathon. The best way to prepare for a marathon? Run a little each day and build up to it. When your body says rest, go rest, otherwise you will just wear yourself down.
Sals last blog post..Dream Big
I had read the suggestion somewhere one time to work the week as though Thursday were Friday. The idea being that with less time to accomplish the tasks, you would focus in on them and get them done quicker. Then, when Friday does arrive, you’ve got an option. Either make it another week day and get that much more done, or make it part of the weekend and use it as a free form day.
When I stop working for “The Man”, I will be able to give this a more thorough try. I have tested it, and I have been able to get all of the week’s work done in four days, but “The Man” still required my Friday attendance.
Ians last blog post..Content Shift and Site Update
I had read the suggestion somewhere one time to work the week as though Thursday were Friday. The idea being that with less time to accomplish the tasks, you would focus in on them and get them done quicker. Then, when Friday does arrive, you’ve got an option. Either make it another week day and get that much more done, or make it part of the weekend and use it as a free form day.
When I stop working for “The Man”, I will be able to give this a more thorough try. I have tested it, and I have been able to get all of the week’s work done in four days, but “The Man” still required my Friday attendance.
Ians last blog post..Content Shift and Site Update
Our children are growing up in the Age of Google. Instant information at your fingertips. Instant gratification. Instant knowledge.
It translates into less patience for other things, I’ve noticed. You can do your best as a parent to help with learning patience (i.e. I don’t buy them things just because they want them– they earn money to get it), but in the end, it’s up to the child to figure it out.
Life delivers lessons the hard way if you can’t figure it out when you’re growing up.
GreenJellos last blog post..Thanksgiving Comes First
Our children are growing up in the Age of Google. Instant information at your fingertips. Instant gratification. Instant knowledge.
It translates into less patience for other things, I’ve noticed. You can do your best as a parent to help with learning patience (i.e. I don’t buy them things just because they want them– they earn money to get it), but in the end, it’s up to the child to figure it out.
Life delivers lessons the hard way if you can’t figure it out when you’re growing up.
GreenJellos last blog post..Thanksgiving Comes First
“Find your friday”.
Great mantra. And no fair, you get an in house brilliant advisor.
I think it’s a trap we fall into especially if we’re creative, that push as you say, to beat the Romans’ record. We can see things, sometimes so swiftly, we are puzzled when we cannot do them just as quickly. But that “down time” is just as important. That renewing time is very much needed. It’s kind of like muscle recovery after a good workout. So that Friday, Sat. and Sunday… that’s part of the process.
Requires patience, and sometimes creates another juicy thing… anticipation.
Janice Cartiers last blog post..Hi Ho Hi Ho
“Find your friday”.
Great mantra. And no fair, you get an in house brilliant advisor.
I think it’s a trap we fall into especially if we’re creative, that push as you say, to beat the Romans’ record. We can see things, sometimes so swiftly, we are puzzled when we cannot do them just as quickly. But that “down time” is just as important. That renewing time is very much needed. It’s kind of like muscle recovery after a good workout. So that Friday, Sat. and Sunday… that’s part of the process.
Requires patience, and sometimes creates another juicy thing… anticipation.
Janice Cartiers last blog post..Hi Ho Hi Ho
Friar: My current fave – Foster Farms frozen corn dogs. They are tre delicioso. I love things rapidly as well, as I am an impatient man, but I do need to slow down sometimes, and I do need to be aware that my children are constantly observing.
Eric: Definitely. Sometimes every twelve.
Kip de Moll: “May your shovel always be digging, but make sure you keep your eye on the dirt.” That is a fantastic quote, Kip. Thanks.
Sal: It is indeed a marathon, and a long race is something you can’t run if you don’t know how to breathe.
Ian: I am a GIANT believer in the four day work week, and I will get there someday. Mandatory attendance es no bueno.
Janice: I do have a brilliant advisor, and I never forget how lucky I am. Daisy often turns my good to great, and can soothe my pacing like no one else.
Friar: My current fave – Foster Farms frozen corn dogs. They are tre delicioso. I love things rapidly as well, as I am an impatient man, but I do need to slow down sometimes, and I do need to be aware that my children are constantly observing.
Eric: Definitely. Sometimes every twelve.
Kip de Moll: “May your shovel always be digging, but make sure you keep your eye on the dirt.” That is a fantastic quote, Kip. Thanks.
Sal: It is indeed a marathon, and a long race is something you can’t run if you don’t know how to breathe.
Ian: I am a GIANT believer in the four day work week, and I will get there someday. Mandatory attendance es no bueno.
Janice: I do have a brilliant advisor, and I never forget how lucky I am. Daisy often turns my good to great, and can soothe my pacing like no one else.
I read this and it made me think about a lot of things. Recently I was thinking of crumbling my blog into a little virtual ball and tossing it away because of lack of readers. I know, you should write for yourself and it shouldn’t matter if anyone else reads it or not – but the truth is, that I want to know that someone reads what I write. I’d like for them to like what I do, but if they don’t I’m still ok with that. I think that what I need is more patience – in time more people will read my blog and if they don’t then I guess that’s ok too. Sorry for the rambling – just that your post made me think about a lot of things.
Thanks
tonys last blog post..My life as an artist
I read this and it made me think about a lot of things. Recently I was thinking of crumbling my blog into a little virtual ball and tossing it away because of lack of readers. I know, you should write for yourself and it shouldn’t matter if anyone else reads it or not – but the truth is, that I want to know that someone reads what I write. I’d like for them to like what I do, but if they don’t I’m still ok with that. I think that what I need is more patience – in time more people will read my blog and if they don’t then I guess that’s ok too. Sorry for the rambling – just that your post made me think about a lot of things.
Thanks
tonys last blog post..My life as an artist
Hi Sean: There is a great danger in trying to chase too many ideas at once. It’s best to pick one and see it to fruition, and then going after the next one, instead of becoming scattered by going after too many things at the same time. I like that phrase: “find your Friday”.
Marelisas last blog post..Outliers – 10,000 Hours for Success
Hi Sean: There is a great danger in trying to chase too many ideas at once. It’s best to pick one and see it to fruition, and then going after the next one, instead of becoming scattered by going after too many things at the same time. I like that phrase: “find your Friday”.
Marelisas last blog post..Outliers – 10,000 Hours for Success
‘Finding My Friday’ – that is the best way to summerise what we all could do with doing…I’m off to search for mine.
I am in awe of your words dear sir.
Mom/Mums last blog post..Share and Share alike..
‘Finding My Friday’ – that is the best way to summerise what we all could do with doing…I’m off to search for mine.
I am in awe of your words dear sir.
Mom/Mums last blog post..Share and Share alike..
Tony: My pleasure. I’m glad I made you think. I only have a vague sketch of what I’ll write when I sit down, so believe me, you’re not alone. It made me think as well.
Marelisa: You are one-hundred percent correct, and I’m trying to get better.
Mom/Mum: Thank you, for both Daisy and I. It’s only a few days old, but “Finding my Friday” is already a new family favorite.
Tony: My pleasure. I’m glad I made you think. I only have a vague sketch of what I’ll write when I sit down, so believe me, you’re not alone. It made me think as well.
Marelisa: You are one-hundred percent correct, and I’m trying to get better.
Mom/Mum: Thank you, for both Daisy and I. It’s only a few days old, but “Finding my Friday” is already a new family favorite.
I am so glad you found your Friday. I was starting to worry you had Energizer batteries grafted into your veins. :)
Jamie Simmermans last blog post..Overcoming Defeat
I am so glad you found your Friday. I was starting to worry you had Energizer batteries grafted into your veins. :)
Jamie Simmermans last blog post..Overcoming Defeat
“How can a society that exists on instant mashed potatoes, packaged cake mixes, frozen dinners, and instant cameras teach patience to its young”?
Indeed, how can I teach this to myself? How easy it is to be annoyed when a web page takes too long to load, or when sitting through the third cycle of a traffic light because the people ahead of you are just too slow! We become disheartened when our endeavors lack instant success or we cannot implement all at once the brilliant ideas swirling in our brains. The soul mate of patience is persistence. Apply persistent work to those ideas and dreams and they will unfold.
As you said, “life, at its best, happens bit by tiny bit”. By practicing moment by moment presence, we live our best life.
kathys last blog post..Your Inner Child’s Connection to Flow
“How can a society that exists on instant mashed potatoes, packaged cake mixes, frozen dinners, and instant cameras teach patience to its young”?
Indeed, how can I teach this to myself? How easy it is to be annoyed when a web page takes too long to load, or when sitting through the third cycle of a traffic light because the people ahead of you are just too slow! We become disheartened when our endeavors lack instant success or we cannot implement all at once the brilliant ideas swirling in our brains. The soul mate of patience is persistence. Apply persistent work to those ideas and dreams and they will unfold.
As you said, “life, at its best, happens bit by tiny bit”. By practicing moment by moment presence, we live our best life.
kathys last blog post..Your Inner Child’s Connection to Flow
I love how Kip said it. Look at the dirt. Look at the mystery in the dirt. There are wonderful treasures in the dirt that can amaze and inspire you. So get out your magnifying glass and rake your fingers through that shovel of fun. I know Sean, that you will bring it all to life for the rest of us!
I love how Kip said it. Look at the dirt. Look at the mystery in the dirt. There are wonderful treasures in the dirt that can amaze and inspire you. So get out your magnifying glass and rake your fingers through that shovel of fun. I know Sean, that you will bring it all to life for the rest of us!