"Patience is the companion of wisdom"

There are numerous people in my life who must live by experience; they must discover truths and endure life lessons first hand. I respect that. That is a quality that sometimes, I am far too cowardice to embrace. Instead, I protect myself. I see the world for what it is and make rational decisions based on facts, rather than feelings. For the most part that is. In doing so I am able to witness the paths of those I love, wether it be for better or worse. Watching all these events take place could by far be one of the hardest tasks that I have ever had to face. By nature, I not only aim to protect myself, but also those I care about. I hate to see these people hurting inside, knowing full well that I cant do anything to prevent it; knowing that they need to experience this for their own personal gain. 

How long can I remain just a bystander? How long should I wait? What if I wait too long? These thoughts often plague my mind. I do what I can to keep them at bay, solely for the good of everyone involved. Some would like to think that it gets easier with time. I beg to disagree. Although it is a hard task and it does not get easier, I feel that a certain level of strength is reached after every encounter. And I depend on that strength to carry me through tomorrow.