The Power of Patience

The Power of Patience

A Long time ago, there was a son who was extraordinarily respectful to his father. On his deathbed the father said: “My son, you honored me in my life time and now you must honor me after my death. I command you, if you should ever be overcome by anger you should hold back your angry until the next morning.

After his father’s death, the son was forced to embark on a prolonged journey, which took him to distant lands for tens of years. Unbeknownst to him, the wife he left behind was expecting his child.

After his years of absence, the husband returned home unannounced, hoping to joyously surprise his wife. But as he approached his bedchamber he saw his wife embracing a handsome young man, a stranger. The husband became fiercely jealous and reached for his dagger - when he suddenly remembered the pledge he made to his father: He must hold back his rage overnight.

The next day he was shocked to discover that the young man in his wife’s embrace was none other than his own son, the child that his wife had borne during his long absence. The man was thus saved from tragically slaughtering his own family.

Source: “A Letter for the Ages” Mesorah Publications 1989

The greatest remedy for anger is delay. –Seneca

Recipe– Ham and Potato Soup

Delicious Ham and Potato Soup

Prep Time: 20 Min Cook Time: 25 Min Ready In: 5 Min 8 Servings

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes

1/3 cup diced celery

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

3/4 cup diced cooked ham

3 1/4 cups water

2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules

1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste

5 tablespoons butter

5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

Directions

Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt and pepper. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately.

Energy–Thinking about the Circle

Today, as you move about the tasks that you need to perform, think about the ways that you move/work/plan in a circle.  How does it feel?

Many blessings.

Energy - Taking Things Too Personally

Everyday, I see people that do not know how to deal with other people's opinions.  They see it as criticism or being put down.  These folks have never learned to separate coaching, criticism, and negative comments.  Everything is take personally.  They over react.  It makes them difficult to deal with and difficult to have as an employee.

As a generalization, this trait is dominant in people who are only children. Perhaps it is because they didn't have to share and get along with others, and there fore did not develop a "thicker skin" along the way. And yes, there are exceptions.  Remember, this is a generalization. 

It takes a lot of time, kindness, trust, and willingness to change to alter the behavior.  Once the change is made, the individual seems to go on to achieve goals and to grow in abundance. 

Many blessings.

Energy - Caution Signs

We are all used to traffic lights that have a green for go, red for stop, and yellow for caution.  What if we took all the good, practical sayings and put them in yellow, like caution signs?  Would we pay more attention to them?

Would it make a difference how we see and hear things like….?

• If I'm not back in five minutes, just wait longer…
• You are not your past.  You are free.  For you are, this instant, how you choose to be.
• Things take time.  So just be patient.
• Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
• Anger is only one letter short of Danger.
• The bridge you burn now may be the one you have to cross later.
• Troubles, like babies, grow large by nursing.
• The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.
• Your time is limited so don't waste it on living someone else's life.

Most of us do not have caution or yield lights in our life. We barrel ahead based on an adrenaline rush or the red haze of anger.  (Just think for a minute about the red… which means – stop.) And we get ourselves into trouble. 

Today, be mindful of the yellow caution signs, and stop for the red light.

Many blessings.

Energy - Believing in Self

It really is true that you have to believe in yourself or no one else will.  Self belief is wrapped around self confidence, being grateful all the time, feeling love for others and for yourself, being positive, and having a soul full of "I believe in me!".

There is a great deal of negative energy floating around that wants us to believe that we cannot complete tasks or achieve any goals without the help of some guru or coach or mentor.  While it is true that some people find it easier to achieve with that sort of help, they also find it easier to blame someone else if things go awry. 

Today, sit down and have a talk with yourself.  Talk about how you believe in you, and what you can do. 

Many blessings.