session 2 patience

The speaker reflects on their journey towards patience, influenced by childhood memories, life experiences, and spiritual beliefs. They emphasize the importance of self-compassion, staying present, and trusting in the cyclical nature of time. Encouraging young individuals not to compare themselves to others, but to focus on personal growth and creativity in navigating life's challenges. Time is viewed not as a linear race, but as a process of self-discovery and artistic expression. I remember when I was probably eight years old my mom took me and my sister to see what turned out to be my first concert and it was George Michael who I still love and adore his music and what a guy. Amazing man. The reason I bring that up is because I remember even now, 42 years later, having the thought that I am NOT a patient person. I remember having that thought at eight years old and patience has certainly been something that I've struggled with through the years. I have learned how to become patient but it's not a natural asset of mine. Patience is not a natural asset. However, as life goes on, as life has gone on, I've recognized that patience is something that has such a major payoff. Whether it's being patient in the way that I respond to a situation, being patient in allowing something to ripen before embarking upon it, patience as far as the patience to meditate, the patience to read, the patience to finish a project, the patience to be patient. Time is something that we all have a different and particular relationship to. I have often felt in a rush when I'm not in a rush. I have battled with time. I have been afraid of time and yet I've learned through reading different texts about time, whether it's The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, which was obviously a wonderful piece of work. Also, The Practice of Meditation, which I've been doing for many years, has taught me about time, that the nature of time can feel differently. The relationship between actual time and felt time and mental time, how long is it going to take me to do this? How much longer do I have to wait to do that? Then we create something out of time, which isn't really related to time. It's our interpretation. Then anxiety comes into the picture and all these sorts of things. Moving your arms around time itself is something that takes really a lifetime, but I can say that 42 years later after having that thought about not being a patient person, I think I have become patient. Of course, life will do that to you and maturity does that, but it's just good to be aware of it. It's good to recognize. What would I say to a younger person who feels that they are lagging behind? I would say, in my experience, it doesn't do much good to chastise yourself. In my world view, I've been here many times and I'll be here many more. Now, that's something we will get into later with regard to spirituality and religion and the nature of life itself, the purpose of this human life. How do you choose to spend it? I think it's very important to judge yourself only based on your own self and your own progress. Yes, it's important to look at yourself and say, okay, am I making progress? Am I putting in the effort? Am I allowing myself to be lazy? Is it the time to be lazy? Is it the time to work harder? Is it the time to push? These things, they never have a straight answer. It's a very abstract, intuitive process, at least in my experience. I would say to a young person who feels that they've fallen behind, it's okay. You don't have to measure up to anyone. Allow yourself the time that you need to mature and allow yourself. It's okay. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to yourself. Start from where you are. Stay focused. Stay in the present. Start from where you are. Recognize that the thought, I have fallen behind, is not useful. It's not going to serve you. And it's just a thought. Go back to the body. Embody yourself. Stay present and create, if it's within you to do so, create a plan. How have I learned to trust timing rather than fight it? What we'll learn, what I will share over time, is that I most identify with a Hindu worldview. And that Hindu worldview doesn't really see time as linear. It's almost more cyclical. And if it's cyclical, there's really no start and no end. And so I just am where I am with regard to time. It's not a race. Again, I've been here before and I'll be here again. Would I like to achieve certain things in psychological time in this particular life? Yes. And that's okay to recognize that. And it can be stimulating and motivating to do that too. But the moment that you get trapped in the idea that you are in a race, I don't think that's helpful anymore. And I don't think it lends itself to achieving beauty and growth in the creative process. Because for me, all these conversations come down to, they boil down to creativity and creative process. And how to bring about into the world what you have to offer as an artist. What is an artist? That's another conversation. But I think that we are all artists. It takes a creative approach just to live this life. So consider yourself an artist.