Lesson 10: Good things take time

Patience can be a frustrating skill to learn, but it’s one of the most valuable lessons life offers. In a world that celebrates instant success—overnight fame, rapid transformations, and quick wins—it’s easy to believe that every worthwhile accomplishment should happen just as fast. But the truth is, anything truly meaningful, anything that endures, takes time, commitment, and a lot of waiting.

One early encounter I had with this lesson involved setting a big goal and expecting immediate results. I put in the work, but as weeks turned to months, the waiting made me question if it was worth it. Over time, however, I began to understand that some of the most valuable things—personal growth, real friendships, and achievements that truly last—need patience. Much like a tree that doesn’t grow tall overnight, we need time to develop roots and lay down a foundation.

There's a famous quote that puts it perfectly:

"Rome wasn’t built overnight. Instead, it was laid out stone by stone and street after street." 

This visual of a city gradually coming to life, piece by piece, is a reminder that anything grand or lasting is built slowly. Each day, every small action we take is like placing a new brick, a building block in something bigger than what we might see right now.

Through this experience, I’ve learned that patience isn't about waiting passively; it's about preparing, building resilience, and growing in the process. There’s an element of trust involved, believing that each effort is a step closer to the goal, even when we can't see the results yet. And when that goal is finally reached, it feels richer and more rewarding because we know the time, work, and consistency it took to get there.

As I continue on my journey, I remind myself that good things take time, and that’s exactly what makes them so worthwhile. The journey—each stone and street—is as important as the destination itself