Patience is Key

Patience is a key part of life. It's important because waiting for something helps one know if it's really right for yourself. Waiting tests a person and character.  Siddhartha exemplifies this willingness to wait for something important in the following quote. He wants to leave home and join the Samanas and needs his father's permission to do so. His father asks,"Why are you waiting?" Siddhartha responds, "You know why." The conversation continues with his father responding, "Will you go on standing and waiting until it is day, noon, evening?" The conversation continues: "I will stand and wait." "You will grow tired, Siddhartha." "I will grow tired." "You will fall asleep." "I will not fall asleep." "You will die." "I will die." (page 11) Siddhartha shows  resolve and strength and feels that patience with his father is the only way he will be able to live his life the way he wants. You will go into the forest" he said, "and become a Samana.If you find bliss in the forest, come back and teach it to me. If you find disillusionment, come back, and we shall again offer sacrifices to the gods together."(12) Siddhartha's father shows amazing patience by letting his son depart for the Samana's knowing he may never come back. This situation reminds me of situations my father and I get into. My dad often asks for me to check in at certain times when I am away from home. Sometimes when I do not follow through he displays great patience by not calling me right away to see if I'll follow through with what I agreed to. Patience is clearly a big part of everyone's life.