I am notorious for seeing things at the grocery store that look good at the time, but then don’t get eaten at home.

I recently brought 3 nectarines and brought them home only to sit in my fruit bowl.

I ate one 2 days later. It was ok, but not quite ripe and was disappointing.

My husband ate the other.

The next week as I was packing my lunch, I saw the last nectarine. The “should” thought haunted me…”Teri, you really ‘should’ eat that last nectarine and not let it go to waste.”

My internal dialogue won and I packed it.

At lunch I reluctantly bit into it ready to be disappointed as I was before.

Surprise! That was that best nectarine I ever had! It was juicy and completely ripe!

You may ask, Teri, who cares about your silly nectarine, but there is a moral to the story.

Sometimes you have to wait to get the results you were hoping for. I had to be patient for a week to let the fruit ripen.

How many times in life do we rush and hope for quick immediate results, only to be disappointed? Whether it is weight loss, job or money issues, or getting through a tough time. Our human nature tends to rush through things too fast instead of slowing down to get the most benefit.

I encourage you to wait patiently, rather than expect immediate results. Sometimes putting in the time will pay off more than you think!

Written by Teri Claassen MSW, LCSW, LCAC

Teri Claassen MSW, LCSW, LCAC is a licensed therapist at Imagine Hope Counseling Group. Teri enjoys doing marriage counseling, individual counseling, couples and relationship counseling. Teri also does family counseling, child counseling, and adolescent counseling. Imagine Hope serves the Indianapolis area, including the surrounding areas of Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Zionsville, and Westfield.