July 27

PATIENCE MONTH: DAY 27: “A great idea (or strategy) is often made to seem to be a bad idea (or strategy) by bad execution … or impatience.”― Mokokoma Mokhonoana

Shortcuts are never going to be a good idea, because they cut off part of a necessary process to go from one point to another. There is a reason for the path that winds around and seems too long or too tricky. I have learned that my path is going to have hairpin turns, switchbacks, detours, and lots of delays, because the timing of the Universe is not MY timing. Oh!

So patience is needed, and not one of my great skills, in case you have not learned that about me. I am going to need many more years of practicing patience before it becomes a skill I have mastered. I am also okay with that. The best part of Step 12, for me, is the admonition that I will continue (forever!) to

PRACTICE these principles in all my affairs. (And it comes AFTER the spiritual awakening, so I never arrive at the end of this practice.)

I also know that I frequently read “…half measures avail us nothing…” That does not change, either. There is never going to be a day when I can put in half-assed attempts and receive full benefits. Ever! I must be diligent and dedicated to this thing in every way. My work is never going to be lazy or phoned in, because I have received tremendous gifts from this work.

I continue to learn, every day it seems, how little patience I have in many areas of my life, so I continue to practice being more patient. In some areas, I am becoming more adept at it, but there remains a lot of improvement for me. That is nice to know, I don’t want to be done here yet.