Patience can be a great virtue, while learning to push ahead often proves invaluable to those who prevail;

but only a marriage of these two spirits can grant us true success, because in their union we are empowered with a calm and steady watchfulness that is always ready and willing to act.

***

Patience is an important, but unseen part of letting go — not unlike learning to tolerate the small thorns that grow on the stem of a rose bud.

But why would we agree to be hurt in this way?

Because we know that when, at last, the new bud blossoms, its gentle fragrance proves our pain to have been worthwhile.