If patience is the only virtue, I am afraid I may be without virtue. I often feel impatient...although I seldom display this. So is it the possession of patience that makes one virtuous or does the ability to temper one's impatience also count?
Patience defined:
The act of:
- bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint
- manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain
- not being hasty or impetuous
- being steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity
Now...is it possible that the idea of promoting patience as a virtue was actually a form of manipulation by a privileged few? If people are bearing trials, or living with pain, or are being provoked, or are put under terrible strain, are facing adversity, opposition and difficulties...what virtue is there in patience for them? Are we asking people to suffer in silence...and if they do, we reward them by calling them virtuous? If people rail against the things that are causing pain...that are provoking them...that are testing the limits...does this make them impatient...or just fed up?
Maybe patience is not such a virtue...or maybe what is virtuous is the ability to not dwell on our own pains/trials/provocations...it is the ability to experience such things and still be able to recognize that others live with their own pains,trials and provocations and to embrace them. Maybe the virtue is in remaining compassionate and empathetic in the face of our own pain.
Maybe I do have some virtue after all; although I am impetuous (and can be hasty)...I can, and do, suck it up! I am a master of 'putting on my big girl panties' and dealing with it; I don't indulge in self pity, I try not to complain too much, and pain...well let's just say, I have a very high tolerance.
Perhaps I'll toss patience to the wind and focus on serenity instead...now there's a virtue I'd like to have!
No comments:
Post a Comment