Jim,
This is a useful writing, I think. It's from Today's Daily Dharma.
I'm glad John Teisberg can help out on Sunday...
Chick
Accepting Imperfection
Any time we want life to be different than it is, we are caught in impatience. We lose our sense of humor; and self-pity, despair, and blame seep into the heart. Gentle forbearance includes the spirit of forgiveness. When we feel conflict with others, understanding their suffering is the first step in being able to communicate, forgive, and begin again. The practice of forgiveness happens when we are able to realize the underlying cause of our anger and impatience, and this allows us to distinguish between someone’s unskillful behavior and essential goodness. Serenity and calm develop as we learn to accept imperfection in others and ourselves.
-Michele McDonald, "Finding Patience," Tricycle, Summer 2004
