Lesson from an 11-year-old: When impatient ask yourself,  “Does it really matter.”

It may be a record breaking year for on-line shopping, but I’m here to tell you it is a little crazy out there. I’m finished with my holiday shopping but the grocery store was enough to give me hives.

I’ll admit I’d rather plow the south 40 with my chin than go to the grocery store, but I went. My husband, bless him, usually does the grocery shopping.

The employees at the store were friendly, but the customers were not smiling or spreading holiday cheer. This was just before Thanksgiving. I was thankful to get what I needed and get out of there.

Until I got to the stop light. The person in front of me didn’t start to turn the second the light changed so the person in back of me honked. I don’t honk unless someone is about to hit me. The driver in the front car didn’t know that, thought I had honked and gave me a one-finger salute. I’ll admit my first instinct was to pass it on. What I really wanted to do was hold up a sign that said, “PATIENCE!”

A lot of stress, strife and anxiety of the holiday can put into one word: Impatience.

On Mondays I get to have lunch at Jefferson Elementary with seven very nice, talkative, funny and insightful fifth grade girls. The Pando Initiative Girl Power group starts my week out right. I find I learn more from them than they do from me.

Last Monday we talked about the word “patience.” That, of course, led to the word “impatience.”

They all said they were impatient at times. When I asked for an example Amore’ said she got impatient when her mom took photos and then wanted to take several. Several girls said they got impatient waiting on others before leaving the house.

But I was most impressed when I asked what a person should do to be more patient. How did they work on their impatience?

“Take a breath,” “Think to yourself, ‘Be patient,’” and “Listen to calming music” were a few of their suggestions.

Dani said, “Think ‘I’m going to get there. I’ll eventually get there.’”

As a group we decided that anger sometimes leads to impatience and impatience many times will lead to anger. Throw in a little stress and we’re talking a recipe for a rocky time.

Holidays can be overwhelming. When you’re waiting in a line, on hold on the phone, stopped in traffic or any of the other time eaters we don’t like, breathe, think positive and you’ll find it will all work out.

Or it won’t. And if it doesn’t you’ll figure out something else. Just don’t worry about perfection. Your holidays don’t have to resemble a Norman Rockwell painting or a Hallmark movie. After all we’re in the real world here folks. And the real world is a lot more fun if we practice being patient, not only with others, but with ourselves.

Kyra said when she starts getting impatient and upset she asks herself, “Does it really matter.”

Let’s take that little piece of advice from an 11 year old. It’s a good one.