Tag Archives: compassion

Independence

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Independence Day usually makes me think about flags waving, fireworks, barbecue, and homemade pretzels (our family tradition). After just getting back from serving with One Heart Many Hands, my thoughts have drifted onto an independence tangent. Why? Because we were with teens. Nearly one hundred of them. Day and night. For seven days straight.

You may wonder whatever possessed us to go on an adventure with teens. If you met my husband, you might understand part of his motivation. He’s a big kid at heart and loves the opportunity to act wild and crazy and be applauded for it. He’s quite the entertainer. I’m better in small groups or one on one or behind the scenes. Regardless of personality type, both of us know teens are at a crucial stage of development.

The teens in our group ranged in age from 12 to 18. It was fascinating to see where each student was in the quest for independence. Some had never been away from parents for an extended period of time, while others had been on many expeditions without family and were prepared to leave for college in the fall.

The service experience helped all of them explore the type of person they could become. They were thrust out of their comfort zone, giving up private rooms and hours to escape into the internet. Their eyes were focused on the needs of others. They saw poverty and felt the actual rotting wood and crumbling cement of decaying homes. They actively helped make living conditions better for people they just met. They learned to work even when they were tired, bruised, or itching from poison ivy. They discovered how it felt to be a productive member of society. An added bonus of being part of One Heart Many Hands was that they saw a ripple effect where their small effort fed into a flood of kindness from people all over the United States.

I’m proud our country declared independence back in 1776. I’m also proud that we have teens exploring their independence in positive ways. Instead of complaining about the direction teens are headed, let’s keep providing them with opportunities to develop into compassionate, hard-working adults.

7 Patience Benefits

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music-machine-pic

The first thing that pops into my head when I hear someone mention “patience” is a song I learned as a little kid. It was on the “Music Machine” record (yes—a record) and featured Herbert the Snail. Maybe you learned it, too.

patience-herbert-the-snail-picBe patient, be patient
Don’t be in such a hurry
When you get impatient
You only start to worry.
Remember, remember
That God is patient, too
And think of all the times
When others have to wait for you.

Many songs have come and go, but this one stuck with me all of these years. I taught it to my own kids, and to many students when I was a preschool teacher. There are certainly many benefits in developing patience. Here are my top seven:

  1. Reduces Stress and Increases Happiness. When you practice patience you are more in control of your emotions and in a better position to deal with difficult situations.
  2. Helps You Meet Goals. Anything worthwhile requires time and effort. Patience helps you keep striving toward your goal.
  3. Results in better decision-making. The chances of making a big mistake lessen with patience because you take time to see the big picture and weigh the pros and cons.
  4. Gives You a Social Advantage. While others explode and cause a scene, patience allows you to remain cool and calm.
  5. Helps develop empathy and compassion.Patience allows you time to process what others are going through and think about how to help them.
  6. Changes your perspective. Patience helps you see trials as ways to grow instead of just useless pain. You’re building mental muscle.
  7. Changes the world. Modeling patience has potential to create a new generation of patient people. Imagine a world where we don’t attack each other over insignificant issues.

My childhood records disappeared years ago, but Herbert the Snail’s message lives on. Spending time developing patience is certainly worth our time.