After last week’s column about thankfulness, I received great positive feedback and it sparked a mini “series” in my mind which will be great for the upcoming holidays and new year. Today, I want to touch on patience and how it affects everything from your personal goals to other aspirations. The dictionary describes patience as “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble or suffering without getting angry or upset.” We have all heard the phrase “patience is a virtue,” which would be the quality to have to display patience.

The other day, I had a young man ask me some questions about if what he was doing was correct. We talked about his workout schedule and basic eating habits. He was frustrated because he was dedicated to this new workout for at least 30 days and nothing had happened. Typically, when someone says this, I ask them how long it took them to get out of shape — usually they respond that it took years. His answer was, “I have been out of shape my whole life and I have never exercised until now.” I just responded with, “Patience, my friend. Patience.”

Just because you are ready for a change doesn’t mean that your body is also ready, especially when exercise and healthy eating are not consistent. It would be nice if, when you start exercising and eating healthy, the weight falls off and muscles pop back on, but it doesn’t work this way. Our bodies are amazing — they can run on almost nothing for quite a while, and it continues to run when the food intake is very unhealthy. Think about your car — it will not run without gas in the tank, and it sure won’t run when you put oil in the gas tank. Yet, our bodies adapt to both, unhealthy or not. Your body will respond after time.

Typically, it takes at least a year to turn your body around. You will see changes a lot sooner and you will feel better almost immediately after you start exercising and eating better, but if done right, the changes will go slowly. No need to get angry or frustrated — “Just do it,” as the Nike commercials used to say. Patience is a virtue, and with patience, many other aspects in your life can be turned around. So my challenge to you is to step back, regroup, make an attainable plan and just put one foot in front of the other. This could apply to your spirit, mind and body health, finances, relationships or any other challenges you may face. You are not alone — many other people, businesses and programs have to be patient.

Our Rowan County United Way agency helps so many wonderful causes in Rowan County including the YMCA, but they didn’t hit their 100 percent fundraising goal this past week — it is currently at 84 percent. The folks at the United Way planned, worked hard and did the things that have proven successful in the past, yet they didn’t reach their goal. But, with patience, I am convinced they will get to that goal, or at least a lot closer. The worst thing for anyone to do in any situation — whether it’s a campaign, a healthy lifestyle change or a financial restructure — is to give up.

Ester H Marsh Associate executive Director JF Hurley Family YMCA