Patience Pays Off August 3, 2016
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Mindfulness, People, Travel & Leisure.trackback
Normally I write more during the summer months.
Because I can write inside.
In air-conditioned comfort.
Avoiding the blazing hot tropical sun during scorching H~O~T mid-day hours.
But not this summer.
This summer I’ve spent hours inside getting back into Bridge.
It’s a great game.
My favorite.
But learning all the ins and outs of counting cards, bidding, communicating with partners, and playing finesses with finesse is time-consuming.
That’s OK.
Being impatient with the here and now adds to our suffering.
Learning to go with the flow and allow life to unfold without futile attempts to push the stream pays big dividends.
Patience pays off as we pursue our pursuits.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related post: How To Be Patient (Raptitude)
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Spirit Lights The Way 
Wise advice. Well needed for me today, as I’m in the middle of a big business deal, and need to scale back my anxiety to keep from being led around by the nose.
Instead of negotiating the deal, maybe I’ll let those guys wait around, while I join you for a game of Bridge.
Yes. The best negotiating stance may be a laissez-faire attitude ~> “let the chips fall as they may” . . . “que sera sera.” A quick shrug of the shoulders. Seeing any option as a potential win.
I’m getting to the point with Bridge that I don’t care whether I have good cards or bad cards, whether I declare or defend, whether I win or lose. It’s All Good!
I don’t see how you can lose, with an attitude like that.
Exactly! And once I find a partner who shares my perspective, it will really be smooth sailing.
Good luck with your negotiations!
Writing requires a great deal of patience since there’s so much waiting. What we do while were waiting is just as important as having the patience. Have a great day, Nancy!
Thanks, Jill. I’ve noticed the “time lag” between your book being selected for publication and Now. And we haven’t even reached the Release. No wonder authors say the best thing to do once a book is selected for publication is start the next one.
You’re right, Nancy. I just finished my first draft of book 2. LOL!
Write on!
Bridge is a great way to keep the grey matter going, and keeps reminding us of how to be patient… especially with our partner 😉
Enjoy your air conditioned time in the flow Nancy!
A great way to practice patience with our partners AND with our own progress. This week, I gave myself a gold star for NOT making a disastrous play while drawing trump. As I reached for the Queen, I realized she was my only entry to the dummy (and 5 sure winners in a solid side suit). So I tossed the trick and made the contract. Yay!
My past practice was always to note the lines of communication just AFTER I’d cut them! LOL
I play with a group that changes partners every 4 hands giving me a chance to play with 6 different partners each week. Quite a perspective on approaches to Bridge (AND the game of Life). Some players are only happy when they get good cards. They’re ruffled by ruffs and disgruntled by any bad split that throws off their game. Others play on a solid foundation of good cheer.
It is so fascinating Nancy! I took lessons over a couple of years … and then realized that I am more intuitive and go with my hunch rather that actually taking note and counting. Right brain dominant thats for sure! It was so much fun though 😃
Bridge is best when we add intuition into the mix. Just counting points often leads us astray.
E.g., statistics say we need 33+ pts. for a Slam and 37+ pts. for a Grand Slam . . . but it is possible to make a Grand Slam with combined HCP of 5 . . . with the right distribution. The problem is finding a way to bid it. That’s when intuition kicks in and wins!
I had a very short career as a bridge player but it was fun. There was only one woman in our group who was intense about the game. One session (when she wasn’t there) we got into so much discussion over the breakfast that we never played a single hand. That was a wonderful session.
Haha! Food = Good!
Bridge personalities are interesting. I’m serious about playing Bridge (because it’s such an interesting game) but I’m not “intense” about winning.
I was the same way except for that one time. Someone had some good stories to tell us and we all got caught up. We did comment that if the other lady was there it would not have happened. She was like a good herding dog getting us into our positions.
A good example of going with the flow of life . . . rather than being tied to a set agenda.
It’s great that you’ve been having fun with your game despite all that counting. Personally bridge is not something I’ve ever played with cards, although I have used them to build houses.
I’ll huff and I’ll puff (with a ruff and a sluff) . . . and your house of cards will disappear.
Too late! My brother got there first! 🙂
No fair! No fair! No fair!
I wanted to do it.
It was my turn.
He got to do it last time!
M~O~M!!!!
“Being impatient with the here and now…” So, what I’m hearing is… it’s not just me…??? Although misery loves company, I kind of miss my Pollyanna Bliss… Me thinks this H-E-A-T has melted it away, and there’s nothing left to do here and now but to stay and play (the hand that’s been dealt to me). 😥 Let’s see where it takes me… For good or for bad, I’ve always been a sucker for surprises. Ahhhh, that’s better…!
That’s why I love Bridge . . . every hand is a surprise! Enjoy the flow of the now.
I don’t think I’d have the patience to play cards. Waiting for someone else to make their move would try my patience. 😀
Playing Bridge with slow players gives me a chance to plan my strategy, envision distribution, recheck point counts, etc. So I don’t mind a bit.
Maybe that will change when I get faster at assessing the play of the hand (and the lay of the land).
I’ve never played bridge…unless you count those “bridges” we built with tinker toys! Seriously, I’ve always thought it would be an interesting game to learn. I must know someone who plays, just never came up in conversation I guess. I can add this to my retirement list!
I played Bridge as a kid with my parents. NOT the same game at all since we almost always played part scores and didn’t have the foggiest idea how to communicate with our partner.
This summer my eyes opened to the realization that there is more to playing Bridge than I’d ever suspected. But each day I learn more and feel more confident with bidding, leading, playing, and defending.
I’ve never learned the game of Bridge … probably because I can be impatient.
However you do have a great point … it’s a very good preoccupation for both a scorching summer day and a freezing cold winter one. Maybe I should add it to my New Things list 🙂
Learning to play Bridge is easy . . . but learning to communicate well with changing partners is challenging.
So, yes, it’s a good hobby for indoor days at any time of year!
I haven’t played bridge in decades – it was such a fun game.
Yes! And there are so many “layers” to it ~> great for tickling the gray cells and strengthening memory.
Each week, I learn a few more nuances.
We would play til all hours and there was always something new. Playing cards was big family entertainment in my family growing up. I don’t see that people do that so much anymore.
I guess it depends on the family.
Other than Bridge, my parents didn’t play games with us . . . they figured the 4 of us could entertain ourselves.
In contrast, my sister and her husband still play games with their 2 “kids” (19 & 23) because “4” is often the perfect number for cards and other games.
Patience does pay off. I always know when I’m too impatient to write a scene effectively.
My brother’s in-laws play Bridge regularly.
Yup. Writing right requires patience and persistence . . . and sometimes we have to kill off our darlings.
I work many more hours in the summer so I fall behind in visiting, Nancy. Miss your clever, funny and sometimes a little cynical “slant” in your posts! Just stopping by to say “hi” and enjoy the Bridge games! It won’t be long when my slow season at work comes and I will be able to chuckle at your posts! Cheers!
I confess I haven’t written much this summer . . . cynical or satirical or lyrical or otherwise.
Soon.
Maybe.
After this next hand.
Cheers!
Know when to push, or not push. Knowing when to hold ’em, knowing when to fold’em. Loved this.
Tim
Life is not always about getting a “good hand” . . . it’s about making the most of the cards we are dealt.
And thanks!
I have never played Bridge, but it always makes me think of the Ricardos and the Mertz’s. Card games are stimulating and can be so much fun and I somehow have always associated Bridge with a level of sophistication, probably due to the images I have from television and the movies! Enjoy!
It IS sophisticated ~> unlike poker, or betting at the races, most bridge players don’t have a cigar butt clenched in their teeth. 😀
I’m glad you mentioned I Love Lucy. I remember the four of them playing Bridge at a card table in the Ricardo’s living room. We did that at my grandparent’s house. Their game was Canasta.