The philosophy that “meaningful things in life are slow-cooked by nature” highlights the fact that the deep, lasting and authentic experiences often require patience, time and a departure from the modern obsession with speed.
In this world of instant gratification, the gap between waiting and getting has ceased. So the true happiness and satisfaction that come from quiet and unhurried movements are unseen in this world. Due to this forced hectic speed, our body and mind don’t align with the purpose. Therefore, a lot of frustration, restlessness, anxiousness and irritability is reflected in this modern generation. Due to their intense eagerness for quick results and instant gratification, this lack of patience results in awkward situations in the most meaningful things in life, like skill, love and wisdom.
In the world designed for instant results, from fast food to instant messaging, the situations that require emotional responses and a lot of patience, tolerance and deep understanding, like marriages, etc., are falling apart at a great pace. Khula rate, divorce rate, suicide rate, etc., have increased incessantly over the last few years – the main reason being impatience. Any long-lasting relationships need tonnes and tonnes of patience and no hasty decisions. The seeds of these relationships need the fertile soil of love, understanding and patience so that the flowers that bloom and the fruit these relationships bear are everlasting, strong, unbreakable and durable.
Now the question arises, “Is patience a modern virtue?” Philosophically, patience is not merely waiting passively but an endurance, perseverance and self-mastery that allows individuals to remain calm and focused on long-term goals despite inevitable setbacks and delays.
A philosopher, Matthew Planalto, calls patience a “fundamental virtue.”
Virtue can be defined as a good trait with moral excellence. So patience can be defined as the best virtue. Patience and a slow-moving mindset are similar to nature’s own rhythm. It is more fulfilling than a life full of haste.
Seeds take time to bloom, and so do deep connections. Instead of viewing delays as wasted time, use them as opportunities to relax, think or observe. The philosophy of waiting is beautifully highlighted by William Henry Davies in his poem “Leisure.”
In the opening lines of the poem, he beautifully explains:
What is this life? If full of care.
We have no time to stand and stare.
And the closing stanza of the poem so beautifully sums up the whole concept of patience:
A poor life this is, full of care.
We have no time to stand and stare.
I would conclude by saying that, in the modern world of haste where there is an obsession with speed, patience is the only virtue which can keep us calm and composed. It can keep our long-term personal relationships more fulfilling and long-lasting, thus resulting in better maintenance of our physical health and mental wellbeing.