There was dignity in this patient labor. In doing things thoroughly rather than quickly. In valuing the process as much as the result. My grandfather could spend an entire afternoon repairing one fence post correctly rather than doing a rushed job on the whole fence. He took pride in work done properly.

Now everyone wants results immediately. Meaningful work without the waiting. Deep connections without investing time. Strong character without facing difficulties. But the best things in life still require patient cultivation. There are no shortcuts to what truly matters - not really.

I still choose the longer path when it's the right one. I'd rather do fewer things well than many things poorly. This probably makes me seem slow or old-fashioned to others. But I've seen what lasts and what doesn't. Quick fixes fade. Patient work endures.

What's wrong with taking our time with things that deserve it?