The scarcity of Patience

Abubakr Ayesh

            Yesterday, I was skimming through the metropolitan part of the newspaper when a small headline on the bottom of the paper apprised me that a teenager was killed by his peers after he had a row about the proceedings of a cricket match with his mates. This is not the only incidence of its kind; the consequence of small and banal fights is often bloodshed nowadays. Every other day, a car accident occurs on the road and the two drivers bicker with each other-they never listen to what the other guy says but keep blabbering their own logic. The crucial point is that no one pays any heed to the faith and belief of others: political workers, for instance, are always ready to teach a lesson to anyone who criticizes their “respected and rightful party” even though that person may be making a logical point. Evidently, patience has lost its place in our hearts.

            Why is it that nobody is willing to let the other individual express himself/herself? Why is it that nobody is willing to concede the thoughts of others or to confess the flaws in their own selves? Why is it that everybody believes that what he/she thinks is right and immaculate? The answer is rigidity in our thoughts and impatience in our personalities. Nobody is willing to condescend to the degree where they would let others elucidate their point of view-let alone acceding to their point of view-although it may be supported with more coherent facts and figures.

            One may think that there is no way of restoring patience-a fundamental quality of civilized human beings-in busy and depressing lifestyle of today. Nevertheless, it can be made possible by changing ourselves. If everyone will let others express their point of view and listen to their argument calmly, then an example can be set out for others so that they have reverence for our beliefs and sentiments. This is a simple step towards changing the society and lending a hand in establishing peace and bliss.