Today's Quote: "If one is master of one thing and understands one thing well, one has at the same time insight into and understanding of many things." Vincent van Gogh

I don't know about you, but I tend to be a rather impatient person. I want things when I want them, how I want them. And I expect other people to do things I ask them to do for me when I ask them, how I ask them.

It took me awhile to realize that the world doesn't work that way! Kids get out-of-line. Projects get off-schedule. Noses get bent out-of-shape.

Early on in motherhood, I had an overwhelming desire to get things right...and quickly at that. To figure babyhood out...quickly. Get through the mysteries of toddlerhood.very quickly! Get through each new stage with an easy grasp. I wanted to figure things out quickly and brilliantly and achieve nearly "instant mastery," even though I hadn't yet put in my time. I never had any idea of the overwhelming nature of motherhood, nor did I allow myself the luxury of adopting the appropriate insight into just how complex it all was. I never counted on climbing a learning curve that went up like a rocket...that is, nearly straight up for nearly two decades before it leveled out a little!

Everyone remains dazzled by the "overnight success" story, the boy-wonder, or the golden child who apparently never stumbled along the way. Consider 21 year-old Andy Roddick, America's darling and top-seeded tennis player going into the 2004 Australian Open. His rise to the top appears to be "overnight." Contrast him to 22 year-old Taylor Dent, whose progress on the pro tour has been methodical rather than meteoric. He finished 2003 ranked No. 32 after capturing three titles. Even for