Remember the time when we were still young kids playing with loam, seeds, and gardening tools? Perhaps like me, you tried burying in the ground a tiny seed, watered it, and waited for small leaves to sprout. We were impatient then. We thought that as soon as we do things in order, things work out fine. But we were kids then, novice to the concept of time, process, and waiting. These three things - time, process, and waiting, are not just foreign to our young minds but are also cruel. 

Time

When we were kids, we did not bother much with time. We do things as we want, whenever we want, without a care in the world. Only to find out that when we become adults, we will be pursuing it so bad. 

Time seems to slow down when we are bored and don't like what we are doing. How slow the clock ticks when we wait for someone, but how it flies so fast when we spend it with someone dear to us. 

Time is so distant - "oh, when I grow up, I want to be a doctor, or a pilot, or a fireman!" But several years also feel like yesterday. Time seems to play with us. 

Process

Our young minds cannot fathom the idea of the process. But we love to ask questions! How are babies made? Are unicorns real? Will dogs go to heaven when they die? We ask a lot to quench our thirst for knowledge. Adults find us silly, but these issues mean a lot to us! But when answered, it blows our minds.

Toddlers cannot easily understand that the seed has to germinate before it becomes a sprout. Then a grueling growth process has to happen before the plant fully matures. All along, toddlers thought that drenching the poor soil works. Little did they know that roots have to run deep, water has to seep in, and tiny little cells have to work beyond what the naked eyes can see. 

Process. The thing that makes transformation possible. 

Waiting

Oh, we hate waiting. As evidenced by how we like things instant, waiting is often unwelcome. 

We want things right away. As children, when we throw a fit of tantrums, that means we mean business. When we're on a trip, "are we there yet?" is our ever litany. When papa is away, we bother mama to send him home in an instant. When we are hungry, we want our snack ora mismo. 

Not just children, but millions of people don't seem to have the luxury of time to prepare a home-cooked meal, conveniently giving rise to the instants: instant coffee, instant noodles, ready-to-drink beverages, heat-and-serve-meals. Just pour some water, stir some seasoning, and voila! The meal is ready! 

Reality check

The concepts of time, process, and waiting impart valuable lessons since we were kids. Fundamental life lessons that keep us strong and ready for whatever life may bring. 

Those who can't respect time are struggling with self-organization and time management. 

Those who are having difficulties in grasping the concept of the process are often disillusioned and frustrated. 

Those who can't wait are easily angered and faced with the reality that not everything in life can be instant. 

Back to the illustration of a seed planted in the loam, we can see these three elements present. But it takes us elementary learning to know that tree doesn't grow overnight. The same goes in life. A healthy and fruitful life doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, process, and waiting to materialize. We can dream of having it all in an instant, but the cruel reality is these three always come into play.