Patience is a Virtue

“Patience is the calm acceptance that things can happen in a different order than the one you have in mind.”
― David G. Allen

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”
― Aristotle

“Why is patience so important?"
"Because it makes us pay attention.”
― Paulo Coelho

Patience.  It’s the thing that I seem not to have enough of, despite most people describing me as a “patient person.”  I think my (usually) soft-spoken demeanor and quiet strength steers people to believe that I have loads of patience.  Sometimes this is true.  But if you’ve spent enough time around me, you have soon learned that I have had moments where my penchant for patience was severely lacking.  Just like gratitude, patience is something that we have to sometimes practice at.  Here are some scenarios in which we can exercise our patient practices:

1.       Any time you experience a delay

That happens to us on almost a daily basis.  Whether you’re stuck in traffic or on a particularly long wait at the doctor’s office, use this time to reflect.  The truth is, no matter how carefully we plan, some things are just out of our control.  Accept that fact that this is where you are supposed to be at this moment, and let go of any tension associated with the delay.

2.       When someone else does things differently from us

We all tend to think that our way of doing things is best.  Truthfully, there are many methods of doing things.  Just because someone likes to drive a different route than you, or cook a certain dish in a different way, doesn’t make them wrong.  Instead of impatiently trying to make someone bend to our ways, it would be easier to just extend acceptance and embrace their differing methods.

3.       When things aren’t happening the way that we would want them to in our lives

Sometimes we are most impatient with ourselves, but it doesn’t really solve anything.  If we have specific goals in mind that we want to attain, we have to allow enough time for us to reach them.  When we let go of the pre-conceived notions of what our life is supposed to look like, then we allow room to embrace all the awesome things that can (and will) unexpectedly happen to us.  One thing about life that you can count on:  nothing ever stays the same.  If you’re patient enough, you’re bound to see some things in life turn out in your favor.

Whether it’s our circumstances, loved ones or ourselves, it pays to have a healthy dose of patience.  To quote Kim Yannayon, “Change is not always easy, but with patience and perseverance, we can find the good in change.”

Stay Beautifully Encouraged & Empowered ❤