LETTERS: PATIENCE: A GOOD WORD TO REMEMBER

To the editor:

I lived for over 20 years in that other America, at time jokingly described as the land of "manana." Some think that their approach is too lackadaisical and that little or less is accomplished. Actually, at times, our hurry to get things done can be more detrimental than beneficial. We are in such a hurry that we don't always get things done properly, or we may be in such a hurry that we don't have enough time to enjoy what we have accomplished.

Our Spanish friends are sometimes criticized for not getting things done on time. They may not seem to be in a hurry. Their response to us may be "Paciencia," which is a good word for all of us to remember. Still, for many North Americans, it is a virtue which might be cultivated to our advantage.

I know that I get a bit edgy or upset when things are not done on time. Sometimes that is a blessing, but it can become a curse. It is so hard for some of us to learn the blessing of patience, and often as not we don't take the time to enjoy the benefits of our efforts. I try to keep reminding myself to slow down enough to enjoy the positive things we may have accomplished before the opportunity may pass us by. Who knows what we may have missed in our haste?

It is true that there are deadlines to be met, but some things are better left for "manana," when more time and effort may produce a better solution. "Manana" may provide us with better opportunities than today.

IVAN NOTHDURFT

Cape Girardeau