We have already waited too long. And for many, all their hopes are gone. We went home and cried. For most of us, 2020 has felt like being trapped in a song. The Smiths, a bitter song. We are tired and want COVID-19 to go away from our lives. We long for freedom. We want things to be like before. But with each passing day, the light at the end of the tunnel seems static, not getting an inch closer. Instead, it continues to drift away as every breath of hope fades in the cold winter air.
“We have to wait” is the only answer given by both scientists and governments. Wait for the vaccine to be ready. Wait until herd immunity is achieved. Or for some, wait for the disease to magically disappear from our lives.
Unfortunately for us, living in this day and age, we are not accustomed to waiting. Our hurried lives and the instant gratification that social media provides have created a generation of impatient individuals. We put patience off our list of desired skills to obtain.
There is a quote that says, “Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to maintain a good attitude while waiting,” and I think that is what we need to have right now, a good attitude towards our difficulties. In our situation, perspective can be everything. We need to divert our focus from what is not under our control, as the Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who fought for 15 years against the Antonine Plague, said, “The impediment of action advances action, which stands in the way of action.” the path becomes the path.” Or as in the maxim of Buddhism, we must take on this challenge like a teacher, who is here to help us cultivate our patience.
One thing is certain, the human race is at war with a microscopic virus, and as Mahatma Gandhi said, “To lose patience is to lose the battle,” or in the words of the Chinese proverb, “A moment of patience can avert a great disaster. “A moment of impatience can ruin an entire life.” Therefore, today more than ever, we need to cultivate our patience as human beings and be understanding of those who lose it. Confrontation in these uncertain times will only lead to chaos.
Let's learn to overcome by breathing slowly, to face it minute by minute, day by day, until we have cleared the darkness that clouds the blue skies. And if we achieve it, we will emerge happy from this predicament, not by leaving everything behind, but by knowing that when misfortune knocks on our door again, we will be wiser enough to understand that misery is temporary, and the only thing we have to do It is being patient, because in the words of Plato, “patience is the best remedy for all problems.”
I hope we take advantage of these moments of Christmas celebration to share words of encouragement among our friends and family along with our good wishes. And even if we cannot meet physically, take this occasion to reward ourselves and others with the special gift of the virtue of patience, because as the Swahili proverb says, “patience brings near what is far.”
I wish you all a patient Merry Christmas and a persevering New Year.
M. Ch. Landa
Photo by Maksim Chernyshev in Scopio
