PATIENCE ... whatever happened to that most dignified of virtues?

It is now a 'we want it all now' society thanks to social media which is chipping away at our innocent enjoyment of things.

Sadly, many can't wait or don't have the patience to hang on for the simple pleasures in life.

As soon as the soccer season is over football fans can't wait for the next campaign - even counting down the days to the pre-season friendlies.

I know of one group of Merseyside soccer addicts who hold a party every year on the day the football fixtures are announced.

In other walks of life many of us have run out of patience with our politicians - local and national.

But when it comes to daily, weekly and monthly routines we need to stop and smell the roses in these roller-coaster, helter-skelter days.

Our well-being is at stake.

Patience, as Take That reminded fans at a sold out gig at Anfield last week, needs time.

We are in a world where even Christmas starts around October.

I was guilty of such festive impatience as a child.

I would hunt around the house for presents that mum had saved up for and duly hidden.

One year I was rooting around while she was out shopping and I found a Gilbert O'Sullivan LP I had asked for. It had been lovingly stashed away by her on top of a wardrobe.

I had found it and felt a pang of guilt. In that moment I had destroyed the magic.

Months later, on Christmas morning, I feigned surprise at the gift. I vowed there and then that I would never again pre-tempt fate.

Fifty years on, I know better now.

As the second series of Killing Eve is now underway starring Liverpool's faultless actress Jodie Comer I will not be tempted to 'binge watch' it on the 'box set' which the BBC has made available.

I will refrain from such Gogglebox obesity.

Patiently, I will watch each of the eight episode on Saturday nights.

If I miss one I will watch the Friday repeat. I must have something to look forward to.

Already some friends have been tempted to watch the entire series on I-Player.

It brings back chilling memories of my first Saturday job at an ice cream factory where I was told to eat as much as I wanted on the first day.

I did and I paid the price.

Greed isn't good.

And so every virtual 'boxed set' from Gentleman Jack to the next Line of Duty will be avoided by be.

I am playing the waiting game.

As the great philosopher Winnie The Pooh once said: "Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day."

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'IS this seat taken?' is one of the phrases I dread.

The BBC's Crossing Divides On The Move Day encouraged us all to strike up conversations with fellow commuters.

Years of being incommunicado using London Tube travel convinced me that commuting shouldn't have to be such stressful work.

The BBC aims to "create a greater sense of belonging and break down barriers in society."

Personally, I like nothing better than sitting on a train or a bus with my paper or a good book .

It's ME time.

And in the past I have been suspicious about the motives of some over-inquisitive types.

The BBC's well-meaning idea is nothing more than a novelty ... one without legs

I would rather Aunty Beeb spent time and energy discussing plans to reinstate the licence for the over 75s.

Now that would really improve well-being.

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SWEDEN leads the way in no-nonsense speaking.

Boffins have produced a robot that conducts job interviews.

And the automaton is proving a serious hit with a council near Stockholm.

It is decidedly unbiased and doesn't discriminate.

It deals with facts and not fiction.

It cuts through the waffle.

Maybe it should be drafted in to question the five remaining contenders for the Tory leadership.

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IT'S yesterdays once more ...

Paul McCartney this week celebrated ten years since his Meat Free Mondays idea was launched.

Yesterday (how apt) he was 77 the same day younger brother Mike saw the re-launch of his remastered solo album McGear, which was first produced by the man he calls 'Our Kid' back in 1974.

Tonight producer Danny Boyle is at the Fact Cinema in Liverpool to preview his Beatle fantasy film called, what else, but .. Yesterday.

And the icing on the birthday cake ... June 25 is Global Beatles day.

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THERE wasn't a dry eye in the house.

The BBC's five-part documentary Thatcher - A Very British Revolution proved to be a real weepie.

Chris Patten, former governor of Hong Kong, revealed that certain cabinet ministers shed tears when Mrs T announced her resignation.

He said wryly: "I think we all know that quite a lot of crocodiles keep a handkerchief handy."

Is this a new analogy ripe for the Oxford Dictionary?

A term for political back-stabbers.

Number 10 must have quite a supply of Kleenex on hand.

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And finally ...

I'd love to see a version of The Great British Bake Off when the series returns.

As a new Eton Mess cheesecake hits our shelves who better to make one together but two old Etonians - David Cameron and Boris Johnson: one who got us into the Brexit mess and the other destined to get us out of it.

Peter Grant