This week I got impatient. A couple weeks ago I had a minor surgical procedure, but it laid me up. The recovery instructions were to stay quiet for a month to six weeks and gradually increase activity. This was tough to hear, I want to return to my full life ASAP! A friend reminded me that “things take time, be patient.” I didn’t like hearing those words even though I knew she was right.
It got me thinking about how much this attribute has been tested during the pandemic, and is being tested now, as we (hopefully) start to put it behind us. But even as we are in that process, there are hiccups, delays, and just plain strange situations to navigate. Even more reason to practice patience.
We have all heard that patience is a ‘virtue.’ Browsing the internet, I found these reasons for that designation at https://www.consulting.com/how-to-be-more-patient.
- When you act with patience, you are seen as more relaxed and friendly.
- Your decisions are probably more thoughtful and rational.
- Your body is less stressed. You are less apt to blow up in anger.
- And you learn more because you have time to do so.
Those are good reasons to call patience a virtue and good reasons to become more patient.
Reflecting on that task, I realize that first you need to choose to see the big picture and realize that the present moment will not last. Change will come. So first, get out of tunnel vision! Open your mind’s eye to see a larger landscape. Even visualize a pleasant scene.
At the same website I found these other helpful practices to cultivate an attitude of patience.
- Figure out what triggers your impatience. For example, do you automatically start to heat up if you must wait in line, get stuck in traffic, or hear noisy neighbors every night?
- When you start to feel impatient, it does show up in your body. Practice slow, deep breathing.
- Give yourself credit for your effort.
I found some other intriguing suggestions to and practice patience, I particularly liked this one I found at https://melissaeisler.com/improve-patience/
- “Look for the silver lining.” Or what could be a possible positive outcome to your present situation, what could you learn about life, how could you support someone else?
There will always be frustrating situations. And sometimes it does make sense to express our frustration. But wouldn’t the world be a kinder, easier place to be if we chose to practice patience with one another?