Testing the Willpower

Seeing a pattern within kids that listen And those who wander off or disturb the rest The test of four year old's willpower began

Testing the willpower of four year olds
A man placed a treat before each
If they waited fifteen minutes, they were told
A second would be placed within reach

Thirty percent were able to wait
For they anticipated having more
The rest, hungry on impulse, just ate
Losing the bigger reward that was in store

The man tracked the children through adulthood
He found a pattern that shocked
Those with patience understood
The path of happiness to walk

Those able to delay gratification
Had healthier relationships and were motivated
They worked harder for their education
As for a higher income they aimed and waited

Patience is a purifying process
That helps us reach for that which we yearn
For it deepens us to possess
The tenacity to work and learn

Patience isn't merely waiting
It is steady and consistent effort
With wants and needs separating
While not being self-absorbed for comfort

As a parent what does this mean?
To indulge children, would this be wise?
With the broader picture now seen
Teach them what gratification denies

What about your mother and father?
Shall He give us everything we ask for?
Struggling builds patience and character
And refines us with faith, trust, and more...

Verse 1] Seeing a pattern within kids that listen And those who wander off or disturb the rest The test of four year old's willpower began A man placed a treat before each If they waited fifteen minutes, they were told A second would be placed within reach Thirty percent were able to wait For they anticipated having more [Pre-Chorus] The rest, hungry on impulse, just ate Losing the bigger reward that was in store The man tracked the children through adulthood He found a pattern that shocked [Chorus] Patience isn't merely waiting (merely waiting) It is steady and consistent effort Patience isn't merely waiting (merely waiting) It helps us reach for what we yearn [Verse 2] Those with patience understood The path of happiness to walk Had healthier relationships and were motivated They worked harder for their education As for a higher income they aimed and waited Patience is a purifying process That deepens us to possess The tenacity to work and learn [Pre-Chorus] Patience isn't merely waiting It is steady and consistent effort With wants and needs separating While not being self-absorbed for comfort [Chorus] Patience isn't merely waiting (merely waiting) It is steady and consistent effort Patience isn't merely waiting (merely waiting) It helps us reach for what we yearn [Bridge] As a parent what does this mean? To indulge children, would this be wise? What about your mother and father? Shall He give us everything we ask for? Struggling builds patience and character And refines us with faith, trust, and more... Teach them what gratification denies Teach them what gratification denies [Chorus] Patience isn't merely waiting (merely waiting) It is steady and consistent effort Patience isn't merely waiting (merely waiting) It helps us reach for what we yearn

Continue in Patience
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Continue in Patience
Ensign, May 2010, 56