23 Dec Tie a Knot

I love the expression, “When you’re at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!” Don’t you? Usually it is accompanied with cute little pictures similar to the one above.

However, when really thinking about it, one doesn’t look so sweet when clinging to the knot. At least I know I don’t. I am usually frazzled, beyond myself with arms and legs akimbo and far from being speechless.

Crazy lady images come more to mind. In fact, I remember one day, my second son really taking a risk by telling his brothers not to worry about it; mom was just yelling again! And he lives to talk about it!

What is it like for you when you get there? Do you see it coming? Can you head it off at the pass?

Do you recognize these phrases: I am stretched to the limit; I have reached the end of my patience?

I bet you do. Was there one that was used more often in your home as you grew up? Do you you it too? What exactly does running out of patience mean? This is how dictionary.com defines patience:

“noun – the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.”

Yep. That’s what I thought. It is very clear to me that the signs of being out of patience would be as obvious as a zero bank balance. It would be very apparent to all. Or so my kids tell me.

We know what it takes to get our bank accounts refilled. Do we know how to get our patience refilled? Is it really as easy as a change of pace, going on a coffee date, perhaps a walk around the block or some serious expression of annoyance?

Those expressions have been known to cause some pretty disastrous relationship issues. How about creating a specific formula? A pill to swallow or a potion to drink could solve it all. Really? Where’s the learning in that?

Before we know it, we’d be right back where we started. Have you seen all the Calm sayings that were posted on Facebook?

There was a whole seris of the Stay Calm theme. The words written on posters, T-Shirts and coffee mugs told us many ways to stay calm. Stay calm and take action. Ours to choose which one.

I got thinking that if this theme was so popular with so many sayings, then losing one’s patience must be a universal issue.

As humans we tend to have lots to deal with and we need to have a way to deal with it. Makes us members of a very large club.

If you are like me and you have a tendencey to be somewhat – and I use that term loosely – vocal about your “end of the rope” situation, then perhaps we could work together, volunteer to handle phone calls for the sole purpose of venting and saving others from wrath.

Nah! No one wants to be on the other end…let’s just leave voice mail messages that self-erarse. Out with the bad air; in with the good. Patience restored.

Coypright 2019 Merri Macartney. Merri works with organizations that want to merge laughter and learning to boost morale, reduce stress and enhance the wellbeing of their staff.

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