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Patience Wins
 by: Dr. Lin Morel

'He (she) who endures to the end wins,' said the Chancellor of the University of Santa Monica during a visit to our graduate class. The statement stuck, and it has been true for me during my many years as a business owner, student, wife, mother and competitor.

Recently I gave a speech for a woman’s organization. As part of the package, I was offered a table on which to sell my products. The speech was a great success, the table another story! Unknown to me, the organization planned the business meeting and agenda items for presentation directly after my speech. The majority of attendees had arrived late due to a major traffic accident, missed networking and an opportunity to view my table before the evening’s program began.

It was late, I was tired, I was trapped. Short of offending folks by taking down my products table and leaving in the middle of their meeting, I could see no graceful way out of my dilemma. So, I waited, and I waited, and I waited some more. I watched the audience begin to trickle out as the night deepened, morning beckoned and the meeting droned on. Oh well, I thought, win some and lose some. At that thought, a small still voice within cautioned me, "The night isn’t over until you’re home. Be patient. Wait and see."

What a concept. That evening I fell into a "why bother" trap. Have you ever been hungry, angry, lonely or tired AND have to perform in some way? I think we all have at one time or another. The challenge is to step back and change your attitude. I do it by commenting to myself, "How fascinating...this meeting is long, I’m tired, etc." Distancing ourselves from the apparent upset and accepting that there is something fascinating to be learned moves us into a state of cooperation with the events as they unfold, rather than what we project they should be.

Sure enough, patience was the name of the game that evening. As the unwieldy business meeting, raffle and auction drew to a close, the president asked the audience to stop by my table. A short time later, I sold everything I brought with me, handed out information and re-connected with my audience. I was the last one to leave the room, satchel empty, pockets full.

He (she) wins who endures to the end. If you’re tired, over worked and out of patience, just take a moment - breathe in, breathe out and 'wait and see.' It may be a cliché, but, “It ain’t over til it’s over.”

About The Author Dr. Lin Morel has spent 20 years helping individuals and groups move beyond stress into profound connection with their core strength and intuition. An author, speaker and coach, she teaches them to apply spiritual principles from the world’s wisdom traditions, blended with cutting edge science, so that individuals learn to show up, pay attention, and use their intention to build greater health, wealth and happiness. An international speaker, author and coach, Dr. Morel may be contacted at (866) 305-4363 or visit www.linmorel.com. Copyright 2005 Lin Morel NOTE: You are welcome to use this article online in electronic newsletters and e-zines as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the "about the author" info). If use of this article is desired in print, you must first contact Lin Morel at linm@linmorel.com.

This article was posted on September 27, 2005