We live in an instant world.
One-click purchases.
On-demand entertainment.
Overnight shipping.
Real-time everything.
This immediate gratification has warped our expectations about growth.
But natural law hasn’t changed:
- Oak trees still take decades to mature.
- Meaningful relationships still require years to deepen.
- Financial independence still needs consistent investments.
- Physical transformation still takes years of effort.
The gap between our expectation and reality creates unnecessary suffering.
How many times have people abandoned promising paths just days before a breakthrough—not because the approach was wrong, but because they didn’t embrace the pace of genuine growth with their unrealistic expectations.
Here’s what I’ve learned: The most valuable transformations rarely announce themselves daily. They reveal themselves retrospectively.
You won’t notice yourself becoming more compassionate Tuesday at 3:17pm. You’ll realize one day that conflicts that once devastated you now barely register.
You won’t feel your fitness improving during your third set. You’ll suddenly recognize you can play with your kids without getting winded.
Patience isn’t passive waiting. It’s active faith in natural processes that go beyond your preferred timeline.
What important seed are you undervaluing just because it’s growing at its own pace rather than yours?
Joe DiAndrea 