A Patience Walk

Feeling overwhelmed, I decided to take a “Patience Walk.” I specifically wanted to teach myself to find inner calm no matter the circumstances, so I chose to walk on a busy stretch of 5th Ave in New York City. Everyone else was in a rush, New York natives and tourists, walking quickly, dancing the NY Shuffle to swiftly move around any idiot daring to walk at a slower pace. Their steps were fast and determined, guided by a mental GPS. Most hands were in the “Briefcase” mode, clenched as if clutching a briefcase. The noise, speed and motion directly contradicted my Patience Walk, but were perfect for my objective: “Could I create a sense of pace for myself even under such circumstances?”

I didn’t want anyone to curse out the looney Jew who was talking a stroll down 5th Ave when they were in a rush, so I wore a baseball cap. I began my quest just in front of FAO Schwarz and began to stroll downtown. I was determined to walk straight ahead without shifting gears and avoiding other pedestrians.

It demanded great effort to not walk like a New Yorker, and took about two blocks to settle in. It was a miracle! People avoided me; I didn’t have to move around anyone. I felt a sense of inner peace, calm and patience, settle in as I strolled. I felt as if I had a forcefield protecting me from the rough energy of the other pedestrians.

It was interesting to observe that as I calmly waited for the traffic lights and just looked around me enjoying the scenery, people stood next to me and began to relax as they too looked around. I even received a few smiles on each block, as if others picked up my sense of calm.

I began to wonder whether patience could be as infectious as the usual tension of the NY sidewalks. It was great.

Then my phone rang.

Oh well!

I still felt calm under I returned home where my sister-in-law had come to visit with her husband and two dogs. My Patience Walk was easier than coming home.

Author Info:
Learn & discover the Divine prophecies with Rabbi Simcha Weinberg from the holy Torah, Jewish Law, Mysticism, Kabbalah and Jewish Prophecies. The Foundation Stone is the ultimate resource for Jews, Judaism, Jewish Education, Jewish Spirituality & the holy Torah.