Two Things Will Define Us

There are two things that will define us in this life. They determine how others see us and thereby shape our ability to have meaningful, positive human relationships - so desperately needed in these odd times.??

The two things are as follows:?

1. Your patience when you have nothing.

2. Your attitude when you have everything.

Patience when you have nothing

When we are tested, struggling, searching for answers, in pain, lost, under extreme pressure, without support and abandoned - how patient can we be? Not just with ourselves, but with others.

The key to sustainable patience is faith - the relentless belief that things will get better. Faith can make us inventive, leading to solutions. It can give us confidence in ourselves - trusting that we will, indeed, find a way out - no matter how grim life appears to be.

All of society is now being tested in this way.

Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it's how we behave while we're waiting. - Joyce Meyer

Faith, inventiveness and confidence are the attributes that will prevent us from "losing it". Yes, we may break down here and there, engage in self-pity and blame the world - but, if our patience level is high, we can literally outlast troubled times.

When others see this high level of patience in us, they lend their support. And together, we can carve a better tomorrow.

Your attitude when you have everything

I met recently with an old friend I had not seen in 15 years. But I was shocked. The conversation consisted mainly of his boasting. He talked about his many trips around the world, his multi-million dollar home and his illicit romantic conquests.

Humility was not to be found.

Weeks after that encounter, he asked to have lunch with me. I declined.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less. - C. S. Lewis

The most influential and respected among us are those that choose to replace arrogance with a caring ear.?

In our relationships, we care less about fancy degrees, wealth and positions of power - and more about kindness, thoughtfulness and mutual respect.?

These ingredients form a person's good character and are sought after today more than ever.?

Despite all we have been through, they are increasingly rare.

When life puts us to the test - and certainly it has over the past year and a half - let's dig deep to find the will to continue.?

But when we have recovered, perhaps doing better than before - let us show humility, help others, and be grateful.

These are the things that define us.