Dylan Stafford

Patience is the antidote to everything.

I’m practicing patience this week, after hearing that quote in my men’s meeting Tuesday.

It’s Thursday morning and I’m on the porch in a sweatshirt and pajamas, with cold feet and hot coffee. I woke up at 5:20 and meditated for 20 minutes, sitting criss-cross and staring into the fireplace. I stretched for a few minutes before wandering here to let the laptop boot up.

2012 is the best year of my life, bar-none, ever, period.

That is the game I am playing this year. The game’s made up, but I’m playing it like it is real.

Adoption.

Kindergarten.

Work.

Exercise.

Those are four big parts of 2012 and I want answers to all four right now. When will we adopt? What’s the right kindergarten for Jackson? Am I focusing on the right actions at work? When will I see the results from the gym?

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a time of reflection, of patience.

I converted to Catholicism in 2007 and to prepare I attended 6 months of classes. The main take away from the classes? Jesus asked people, Why do you worry about many things?

That statement was the best part of the whole 6 months. Right now, at this moment, everything is OK.

Planning is fine. Looking ahead, saving for a rainy day, all fine. But when I worry I am in the future, not being right here, right now.

Can I go to work with a smile today? Can I be a good husband and a good father today?

Yes–and being patient will help me.

Be quick, but don’t hurry, said John Wooden, UCLA’s famous basketball coach. If I’m present, I can be quick. If I’m not present, if I’m impatient, I’ll hurry.

Why do I worry over many things? Because I am in the future, in a hurry to deal with something that isn’t happening now.

Today’s game, for Thursday, February 23, 2012, is to be here now. To set the worry to the side and to be on the court today, facing life today.

Regret is the language of the past.

Worry is the language of the future.

Love is the language of the moment, of the right here, right now.