The Gift of Patience
It is said that with age comes wisdom. Good things come to those who wait. Patience is a virtue. Has anyone else struggled with believing these charming adages? Patience has never been a strong suit for me. I sometimes feel as though my entire life has been a race to the finish. Every life event is marked appropriately. I’ve found myself saying, “…when the kids grow up”, or “…when the kids graduate”, or “…when the kids move out,” etc.—Each experience has some sort of due date attached.
Everything in life seems to be contingent on something else happening first. Take new construction for example. So many of you are stuck in the seemingly endless circle of homebuilding. Ordering windows, doors, or flooring? Forget it. Plan on early 2022 delivery and hope for the best! Ordering furniture? Plan on that taking a while as well. There’s a foam shortage. Who knew?
Between the high demand for housing and the lack of inventory, due dates have become a thing of the past. In fact, everything is taking longer than expected. Employee shortages and the popularity of real estate means county permits are delayed, title searches are taking longer, and surveyors are running 30 days behind schedule. Home appraisers are also in high demand, and it’s no wonder lenders can’t commit to 30-day closings. The truth is 45 days might be pushing it in some cases!
Now, perhaps more than ever before, I can raise my hand and say “YES, I DO UNDERSTAND YOUR FRUSTRATION!” Relocating my building has certainly tested my patience while making way for another full-time emotion– empathy. As I grow older, the lessons learned become much more meaningful.
Maybe there is a hidden message here; just maybe this is a time for opportunity. What if we were to enjoy each day without making it a marathon to get things finished, to truly slow our roll, to focus less on what we must have and enjoy what we have now? Perhaps we should stop looking for “due dates” and enjoy the ride to the finish line instead. Maybe it’s not about being in a hurry for kids to grow up or attaching an arbitrary date that really means nothing. While I don’t have the answers yet, I am going to try to take my time to figure them out!
This Christmas season, forget the “stuff.” It doesn’t really matter in the end. Patience is indeed the best gift. When we can pause to reflect, we realize that making memories with our family and friends is all we really need. The house will eventually close. The windows will come back in stock, and the furniture will be here before you know it. In the spirit of the season, consider turning frustration into opportunity and part with some of your no-longer-used “treasures.” Share them with those in need; empty out some of the pantry shelves and drop off a bag at a local church or food kitchen. Giving to others will make the wait so much more special. Merry Christmas from all of us at Leslie Wells Realty and thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives!