One of the most popular catchphrases in Israel issavlanut which means “patience.” Anyone who’s ever experienced sitting in a traffic jam in the centre of Jerusalem, or walked through a shuk(market) on a Friday afternoon will understand why this one word tends to drip off everyone’s tongue.
The Bible is replete with references extolling the virtue of patience. The patient man shows much good sense…” (Proverbs 14:29); A patient man allays discord. (Proverbs 15:18); and A patient man is better than a warrior. (Proverbs 16:32). The emotion is also discussed in other sections, such as Ecclesiastes: Better is the patient spirit than the lofty spirit. (Ecclesiastes 7:8-9).
But my all time favourite is that little rhyme: Patience is a virtue, Possess it if you can; Seldom found in woman, Never found in man.”
That was proven otherwise in the Philippines the other day a man has won the countrys largest ever lottery jackpot after letting a woman push in front of him in the queue to get her ticket first.
The 60-year-old man and the woman he let cut the line both chose their numbers by lucky dip.
In an interview with Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Chairman, Margarita Juico, she said the gentleman was about to place his bet at a lottery outlet in Southern Philippines when a woman suddenly cut in front of him and placed her bet first.
“He said you know when I won, I thought of her and I thought that maybe if she had been patient enough to wait, then she could probably have won this prize instead of me, the official said.
Ever stop to think what would happen if you slowed down the bustle of your day, just long enough to pause and smell the roses, to call your spouse, to hug your child, to talk to a friend?
Patience is a virtue. The lack of it can cost you plenty.
The Philippine man took home a prize of 17 million dollars.
Ouch!
