"The two most powerful warriors are patience and time." - Leo Tolstoy
Summary: Giving isn’t always about material goods. This post explores the gift of patience and how offering time and understanding can profoundly affect someone’s life.
Introduction
We live in a fast-paced world where time is our most precious commodity. Offering patience to someone—listening to them fully—can be one of the most impactful gifts we can offer.
Just One Verse:
Verse: Bhagavad Gita 18.5
यज्ञदानतप:कर्म न त्याज्यं कार्यमेव तत् | यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम् || 5||
Translation: Acts of sacrifice, charity, and penance are not to be given up; they must be performed. Indeed, sacrifice, charity, and penance purify even the wise.
Listen
Commentary: The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes that sacrifice, charity, and penance are purifying acts. Patience can be considered a form of penance—offering our time and understanding without expectation of results purifies both the giver and the receiver.
How it applies to our lives now
The practice of being present with someone—without interruption or rushing—is an act of charity that is often undervalued but greatly needed.
Just One Action
Sit down with a family member or friend today and offer them your time—be completely present.
Personal Story
I started to give my time to chant a chapter or two of the Gita to a 92-year-old friend. She is always so enthusiastic when I come to her house, describing the experience as if the temple itself is coming home. Living alone, these visits have become a source of immense joy for both of us. During our sessions, her eyes light up, and she often shares memories and one time showed me her old Gita book.
These moments are not only valuable to her but also deeply fulfilling for me. They remind me of the importance of genuine connection—how patience, time, and presence can create a profound bond that transcends age. It has been a humbling experience that shows me that true giving doesn’t require material wealth, but rather the willingness to share our time and our hearts.
Conclusion
Patience is a gift that keeps giving, for the one who receives it and for the one who offers it. Let us remember to pause and give our presence.
🙏
Beautifully said