Patience

Patience: (pa·tience) n. The capacity, quality, or fact of being patient.

Patient: (pa-tient) adj. Tolerant; understanding. Capable of calmly awaiting an outcome or result; not hasty or impulsive.

Not too long ago, those words would have rarely been associated with me. I really don't know why but I've never been a particularly patient person (just ask my mom). I guess it might be because I was always used to being the center of attention when I was younger (because I was so sick) and I rarely had to wait on things. It was just given to me ASAP. I will fully admit it: I was (and still kind of am) spoiled, very spoiled.

Lately I've been much better about all of this. I suppose I figured it was finally time to "grow up" in that regard. Anyone who knows me well will say that I'm very mature for my age. I agree with that for the most part; however, my patience is only about 16. Seriously, up until recently, I was one of the most impatient people I knew. In life, my career, relationships, you name it... but now I'm starting to get better those areas.

I think the two biggest areas I've improved upon are being patient with my career and relationships. Career-wise, well, that actually started getting better a year ago. Back when I was at my old station (in the third smallest market in the country), I wanted to move on so bad I couldn't stand it. I was constantly sending out packages (applying for jobs) and trying to find a way out, even though I hadn't been there all that long. Friends in the biz were telling me to concentrate on getting better and not be afraid to be there for a couple more years. Did I listen? Hell no. The only thing that ended up happening was that I got burned out and got out of radio for a few months (I was working at the Hard Rock Beach Club in Choctaw, MS during that time). As you can guess, I went back and even got promoted to Music Director upon my return to Q101. Roughly a year later, I moved to Fort Wayne (a big step up in radio terms). Moral of the story: Patience and hard work really do pay off; the keyword being "patience." I waited for the right opportunity to come along; now here I am.

I think the area where I've been most impatient in is relationships. That might seem kind of strange but it's true. I've always been in relationships that moved really fast. I've learned that that's not necessarially a good thing; in fact, sometimes it's not a good thing at all. The first "real" relationship (as far as I'm concerned, it's actually the only real relationship I've had up to this point) I had moved somewhat fast. It wasn't really bad for the most part, in fact it lasted for three years. After that, I would start dating a girl and try to move things along fast. Through those experiences, I've learned that that's not always a good thing. Be patient; let things happen in due time... don't try to rush stuff. In short, be patient!

In my last relationship we got to see each other literally almost every day and talk on the phone up to a couple of times a day. In the "real world," however, I've learned that that doesn't always happen. The people involved often are pretty busy and will often have to go long periods of time without seeing each other and will often only get to talk to each other speradically. Schedule conflicts and other things, well, they just happen. It's all about compromise and, yes, patience. Why I didn't come to this realization sooner, I don't know... but I wish I had. Anything (or anyone) that you really want (to be with) is always worth waiting for.

I've also learned not to settle for just anyone (in a relationship)... but that's another story.

In short, I've never really been a patient person but here lately I'm becoming more of one. If you're one of the poor folks who have to put up with me, remember that I'm a work in progress. Please be patient with me! (hahaha)

--Jonathan