“We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world” ~ Helen Keller
A martial arts student went to his teacher and said earnestly, “I am devoted to studying your martial system. How long will it take me to master it?”
The teacher’s reply was casual, “Ten years”.
Impatiently, the student answered, “But I want to master it faster than that. I will work very hard. I will practice every day, ten or more hours a day if I have to. How long will it take then”?
The teacher thought for a moment, “20 years”.
What’s the lesson in it for us?
The Kung Fu Master has conveyed a powerful message in a such a simple way to the warrior. In Hindi language Patience means धैर्य (Dhairya) and Dhairya implies courage – it is patience in the face of danger. Even in our daily routine we get impatient and anxious that the outcome may not be as we want it to be. This means we do not have trust in the universal order of things to accept in grace the outcome. And so we take preemptive hurried action often resulting in a lesser result or failure.
Most of our educational and training institutions of learning and parents too miss out on teaching the virtues of patience and courage to students. Perhaps the teachers themselves are not aware of the intangible power of these virtues and believe in quick-fix short-term solutions. In corporate or in our personal life we are in a race to aggressively achieve goals often without a pause ~ to breathe and think. Those familiar with yoga will know all movements are gradual and graceful and yet they bring about a harmonious balance between mind and body.
In oriental philosophy too the sage Lao Tsu taught that all straining, all striving are not only vain but counterproductive. It does not literally mean to do nothing, but to discern with a quiet mind and follow the natural forces to follow and shape the flow of events and not to pit oneself against the natural order of things.
I am sure the student above would have bowed in humility and gratitude to the Master for this beautiful lesson.
This is a wonderful essay. In my life, nothing seems to happen unless I make it happen. But I’ll keep trying to put into practice some of what you say here. The truth of your words is undeniable.
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Hi David a warm welcome to you. I appreciate your words of confidence “nothing seems to happen unless I make it happen”! The moral of the parable above is perhaps to highlight the virtue of not allowing our ambitions to supercede the quality of our training.
Cheers and regards 🤠
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Thank you for this beautiful life lesson Dilip! 🙂
Swetank.
Be Bettr, Stay Bettr! 🙂
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Glad you liked it and for your appreciation too. You too be Bettr, Stay Bettr 🙂
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A powerful message especially relevant in the rat race that is life today. Thanks again for sharing such wisdom Dilip.
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You are so right Madhu I know well the futility of the rat race having run it myself 🙂
But NOT any more 🙂
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true and Beautiful post 🙂
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Nice of you to appreciate. Cheers 🙂
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Dolce giornata 🙂
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Avete troppo dolce e felice giorno! Continuare a sorridere. 🙂 🙂
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True — and hard to hold to. Enjoyed particularly the Hellen Keller quote.
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I am so glad you liked this post and quote.
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So true. It takes time to cultivate patience. It is well worth it. In love and light Cheryle
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Thanks Cheryle I find your words so encouraging. Thank you and regards.
Dilip
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Such a beautiful story, and such an important lesson. I so appreciate you sharing these words here today, as I’m a firm believer that they usually show up when one is quite in need of them. Many thanks, Dilip. Cheers!
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Many thanks Shelley your words always make me feel good. 🙂
Kind regards.
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Buon Lunedì 🙂
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Oooh così dolce di voi Simona. Grazie mille. 🙂
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“Even in our daily routine we get impatient and anxious that the outcome may not be as we want it to be. This means we do not have trust in the universal order of things to accept in grace the outcome.”
sometimes I am part of the universe’s flow, then I go against its current…these words having been trying to get me to listen all day 🙂
Thank you for such a good post and the perfect time
Take Care…You Matter…
)0(
maryrose
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Felt good reading your lovely response on Patience and going with the flow.
I find awareness and practice helped me a lot and my confidence in the process increased when unexpected and happy outcomes came my way more often 🙂
You take too take care dear LadyBlue Rose.
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hectic life I lead these days, finally made it back, though I did it with patience 🙂
you’re right it does help in being aware of the moments.
I hope all is well within your world these day …..
Take Care…You Matter…
)0(
maryrose
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Thank you dear maryrose for your kind thoughts. And I am so glad you practiced ‘patience’ and are now in peace and calm.
Sending many good wishes your way 🙂
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Hemingway does have a wise word for everything 🙂 Thank you for sharing this!
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Yes indeed and this one fits the moral ‘to a T’. Thanks and you have a lovely day 🙂
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People don realise the value of patience.Its one thing which stops many problem from arising and solves those which we have..
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How true how true indeed. The challenge lies in finding out why we run out of patience so easily 🙂
Good to hear from you Renu.
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Wonderful quotes! You have explained it very well! An old zen saying says,’You should meditate more if you are too busy’… How nicely it is said! It is during the busy schedules, we forget that we should have patience but it is the time when we need it the most!
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Wow Sindhoooo you are absolutely correct in your your understanding of true patience.
Thank you so much.
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I struggle with patience at times, but am finally making myself slow down and accept that things don’t always (and rarely do) happen on my time. The thing is, when things come to us easily and quickly, they aren’t appreciated nearly as much as those things that were a long time coming.
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That’s a very clear explanation of patience as we experience it in our daily routines.
And yet eventually a time comes when there is no need to struggle patience just happens naturally. When this state comes the natural order of things begin to work.
I really liked your comment Janna.
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Wise words. Unfortunately we seem to want more all the time. For free. While humans will always strive, there is a price to pay. Sometimes in the form of time, sometimes in the form of relationships, sometimes in the form of money, etc. We can get more of one thing at the cost of another.
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Ah ha well said Ankur its a trade-off here too! But from a philosophical perspective spiritual calm can come only through patience and a uncluttered mind leads to better decisions.
Cheers my friend and have a good day tomorrow 🙂
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Patience! Doctors ‘patiently’ wait for patients to erupt. Sorry, couldn’t resist the pun. But in today’s world, patience is a distant dream, isn’t it?
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Oh my I did not catch on to the pun – ‘patients to erupt’! But yes patience is surely a dream 🙂
Thanks for stopping my 🙂
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I’m punny that way! But I love your posts. They are always brief, to the point and thoughtful.
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Oh that’s a ‘sweet’ compliment pun intended 🙂
BTW in my next visit to the bookshop I’m going to look for your book!
Cheers and best
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Haha, thank you. I’ll try to shorten my blogposts to your word count. I always feel I over write and then spend double the time editing it to size.
Umm, where do you reside? The Publisher first releases it across amazon.in, flipkart etc. It ends up in book stores later.
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You are a talented writer so don’t change ‘nothing’! Oh Flipkart will do fine for me. Thanks and a nice day for you. 🙂
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Hmm, I do get inspired by certain blog writer’s styles. Of course, it is temporary and somehow I invariably get back into ‘Me’ mould.
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You are right creativity emerges from within our core – our ‘Me’! The trigger however could be an external stimulus.
If I may add the works of great painters, musicians, poets or writers are appreciated and admired for their originality.
Best always!
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Rightly said. Its best to be comfortable in own skin. Variety’s the spice.
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🙂 regards
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This is true Dilip… we need to have more patience. We want everything in the moment and maybe we aren’t ready for it at the time ♡
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Thank you Launna for what you say, Yes to impress the urgency upon the team the boss would say “I want this assignment completed by yesterday” 🙂
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It’s an inspiring post, Dilip…. 🙂
Best wishes to you and yours. Have a wonderful week.. !!
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Glad you like it Bams … 🙂 and you too have a rocking weekend 😉
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Excellent post dear Dilip… The brief story has such a powerful message… I love to read your insights on it and to learn about the meaning of the word Patience in Hindi, as it also implies “patience as we face of danger”. Wise!… All my best wishes and happy weekend to you. Aquileana ⭐
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How kind of you dear Aquileana for such kind words. Whenever I read wisdom quotes or stories I get very inspired my self and can’t resist sharing with all my dear friends.
You too dear friend have a lovely Sunday! Dilip ⭐
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Love that we must go with the natural flow of life thank you.
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Yeah that’s the key just flow smoothly and if an obstruction does come-up don’t resist glide into the new direction.
Have a lovely Sunday!
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Love it and try to live my life this way…sometimes I succeed.
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We all keep trying and we will succeed – many days.
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Thank you for the lovely thoughts – oriental philosophy is sound and deep.
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Thank you sir and welcome back!
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Ahhhhh okay I will be patient! Yesterday I felt overwhelmed working on my book and then a friend said to me just take it one step at a time and there’s no rush. Aha, patience! So I am 🙂 Great post, dear Dilip!
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Ha Ha its quite easy dear Christy 🙂
Its always the first step which is daunting and you are already way ahead.
Looking forward to your book and best of luck.
Kind regards!
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Thank you, Dilip. You are so generous with your time and sharing your heart. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
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Gracious of you Christy! Best wishes always.
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Great Insight Dilip.. Yes the art of patience is not to rush things 🙂 Great apology within its lesson x
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Ye Sue these Zen Masters are known for their simple ways to communicate the lessons.
Nice of you to appreciate!
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I admitted that sometimes I get impatience to achieve a goal and when I get impatience, I get angry and anxious that make myself not focus to the goal. I realize that these negative attitudes would not be helpful in achieving my goals. What a beautiful reflection post. Thank you so much!
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Ah Indah yes you got it! I too am practicing to remain cool even in touch situations.
Thank you for your nice words.
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Have a lovely day too Dilip. Thank you for the lesson. 🙂
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Thanks Nomzi good to hear from you 🙂
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Likewise Dilip. Life is good to us. 🙂
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Yes Nomzi life indeed is very good and our gratitude to the Supreme power who makes this happen.
Be very well always 🙂
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Thank you and you too Dilip. 🙂
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Merci beaucoup Nomzi 🙂
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You are most welcome and have a lovely weekend. 🙂
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Nicely written:-)
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Ah thank you so much! 🙂
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Patience is a lost virtue in our modern, fast-paced world. These days we want everything now, if not sooner.
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If only people can dare to experiment on patience in their own lives they will experience its value.
Thanks my dear friend 🙂
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Patience, creativity, and learning from failure are very important in life … and missed by the educational system.
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True Frank these are valuable insights for students. However there are very few teachers who know their value and practice it.
Thanks and cheers 🙂
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In the testing-crazy US, no time to do so … yet some disciplines are natural places to teach them.
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Oh yes especially the orient and if I may add a few Asian countries too. Yet from the blogs of folk in the West it looks like they too are balancing their lives quite well. 🙂
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Just don’t include the US in the West.
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Ha ha Frank! But me and my Indian friends I find the US and the people there quite wonderful. You guys work hard and play hard 🙂
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Thanks … but way too much testing in our schools.
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Oh that’s not a happy thing for the students. Our school kids too have huge piles of homework and of course testing too.
In my school days we had plenty of outdoors and games 🙂
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What I mean about testing, is not the typical in-class testing, but tests that states mandate … it’s crazy!
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Got it! I agree all testing in school or otherwise must be imaginatively designed.
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Therefore, teachers must focus getting students to be proficient enough to pass the state test … thus is real learning ever the focus.
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Oh yes I do not have experience in school levels but in my school days my teachers were so awesome. Can never forget them.
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Sending you a link of a teachers day earlier post. To give you an idea of teachers then. 🙂
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Interesting insights, dilip… Patience builds character and is the mother of all virtues…best wishes… Raj.
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Thanks aplenty Raj. Yes Patience is the ‘mother of all virtues’! Perfect.
Thanks and cheers 🙂
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Wisdom for the ages. The term kung fu comes from Chinese characters “gong” — effort and time and “fu” — representing man entering heaven… Patience is the path. Thank you for the reminder.
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Beautiful enriching insights! I love to understand and learn from such-like fascinating aspects of oriental culture.
Thank you and wish you well. Regards.
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