'Tis the gift to be simple

I had the pleasure of hanging out with many people I hadn't seen in awhile this weekend.  I got to spend some quality time with one person, especially, and my encounter with her made me think.  A lot.  You see, she got me a Christmas present and well, since I'm in college and she's back at high school, we don't see each other often.  As a result, she hadn't been able to give it to me yet.  Yeah, you're dying to know what is was, right?  Okay, probably not.  Anyway, it was a framed photograph of us from this fall with foam letters on the top of the frame that spelled "Lover" because that is our silly term of endearment for each other.  The thing I learned from this is that the simplest gifts are often the best.  No more heart and soul could have gone into that than any elaborate gift.  Instead, it was just awesomeness.
So here's what I'm thinking...  friendship isn't about all the loud declarations of adoration or taking a bajillion pictures.  No, it's about the quiet moments of silence where words don't need to be said, just spending time together and staying that way no matter how far apart you may be.

Not again...

Scott did it AGAIN!  This time, the line was, "you are the caretaker of the music."  Damn it, Scott, why did you have to make me think RIGHT NOW?!?!

Patience

patience: the capacity or habit for being patient

I find that to be an interesting revelation. I feel I have a high capacity for patience, but haven't made it a habit. Now, before people jump all over this and say, "Catie, you are patient!!!" I must point out that I'm referring to patience with self. Having patience with oneself is my biggest challenge at this time. It requires persistence and control. I have them both but have not made them a habit.

patient: bearing pain or trials without complaint

Wow. I definitely complain a lot as I strive to overcome my challenges and attempt to form excellent habits. Clearly, that is not patient behavior. Through learning patience with myself, I will be able to empathize with people more closely. I had a wonderful conversation with The Man (ask if you don't know!) about this yesterday. He said it takes learning, discipline, and life experience in order to acquire patience with oneself. However, it is most essential that it be acquired sooner rather than later.

Until it's mine, I'll persevere.