If I could sit down with my teenage self, and provide some advice, I would ask my teenage self to exercise patience.
Patience is a virtue. Lack of patience is a flaw that many humans have. Lack of patience, or impatience, is something that we must combat.
Not all people are born with a high degree of patience. Patience is something that must be acquired with time. As a person matures, the degree of patience may increase.
Then, there are those who lack patience to start with. But as time goes by, the intensity of their impatience may rise.
In retrospect, I believe that I was always a very patient child. Patience was ingrained in me. In my childhood, I suffered from various illnesses, such as bronchial allergies and asthma. An episode of illness would require significant amount of time for complete recovery. Having difficulty breathing slowed me down, but it also strengthened my mind and accelerated my stream of thoughts. While I would be at home, resting on the bed, my mind would wander endlessly.
For a significant part of my childhood, I spent time playing with Lego, rather than engaging in outdoor activities. I would spend time reading books, rather than going out to a theme park. I was faced with the reality of human limitations, in the form of illnesses. But at the same time, I became stronger, wiser, and more patient.
In my childhood, I spent a great deal of time with my maternal grandparents. Spending hours and hours with them helped instill in me wisdom and patience. Spending time with them helped me learn valuable lessons in life. With time, I realized that I am an old soul. The moments I spent with my maternal grandparents were some of the most precious moments of my life.
By the time I reached my teens, I had a high degree of patience in me. But that does not mean that I did not have the vitality of a teenager. I had strength, energy, and ambitions. I loved to be active, liked going to school, and enjoyed spending time with my friends. My heart was full of love. And yet, I had, deep within me, lots of patience.
Patience is our lifelong friend. It is an asset that keeps increasing in value. In fact, patience is precious.
How ever patient we may be, there is also a need to remind ourselves that we must continue to be patient. Therefore, if I could give any advice to my teenage self, I would simply say, “Always be patient.”