Patience is a virtue…

Patience is defined as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. When it comes to patience, we can all use a little more of it. Do you find that you have more patience with some people and situations, but not all? How patient are you?

Time and time again, I’ve heard it being said that patience is a virtue. But what does this really mean? Here’s an answer I read somewhere:

Patience is a virtue because it makes us better people. The definition of the word is to tolerate delay. This implies self-control and forbearance, as opposed to wanting what we want when we want it. How many times have we jumped the gun and found that it would have been better to tolerate delay or have self-control? What did we miss out on? Did we hurt someone we love by our impatience?

What are the benefits of being patient? In my research, I found the following:

1 – Reduces stress levels. When you learn and practise patience, you don’t get as angry, stressed or overwhelmed.

2 – Results in better decision-making. Take the time to assess the situation, see the big picture, and weigh any pros and cons. The chances of making a big mistake lessen because you avoid making the decision in haste.

3 – Helps develop understanding, empathy and compassion. Patient people take the time to process what they go through and are able to determine what it takes to overcome obstacles, so they are more understanding of others. This can result in better relationships with spouses, friends and children.

4 – Helps you understand and appreciate the process of growth. Planning, growth, evaluation and measurement all take time, and taking time takes patience.

How to be patient:

1 – Develop realistic expectations.

2 – Realize that setbacks are only temporary.

3 – Employ a problem-solving attitude, instead of choosing to be a victim.

4 – Avoid bitterness.

5 – Have faith that you can overcome a difficult situation.

6 – Be aware of triggers that cause you to become impatient. If it’s something you can change, take steps to change it. If not, then adjust your attitude and mindset accordingly.

How to develop patience:

1 – Take a day where you make patience your goal for the entire day.

2 – Slow down.

3 – Practise delaying gratification.

4 – Practise thinking before you speak. When we are patient, we should pause and go over what we want to say before saying it, so that we can avoid hurting or offending others.

5 – Take deep breaths to try to relax when you find yourself getting impatient.

6 – Identify the things that are causing you to become stressed out.

7 – Don’t rush things. Things will happen to you, when the timing is right.

8 – Think back to a time that you had to wait for something which turned out to be rewarding.

9 – Next time you have to wait for something, take the free time to do something fun or meditate.

10 – Take the time to help others. For example, having to deal with the elderly and the hearing impaired definitely requires patience. By helping others on a regular basis, such as the elderly, you will find yourself slowing down a bit and becoming more patient. Patience can bring out the compassionate side of you.

11 – Plan ahead. Instead of rushing, give yourself enough time and allow for unforeseen circumstances. For example: plan to leave home earlier than you normally would. Give yourself sufficient time to finish a project by the due date, instead of waiting until the last minute.

12 – practise acceptance.

– You need to affirm to yourself that sometimes it takes longer to reach your outcome, see changes or be accepted.

– At times people disappoint you. Many times your expectation takes time to materialize. It is not what happens that matters, but how you react.

– Do something constructive while waiting. It keeps your mind and your time occupied and helps you avoid unnecessary stress from worrying and getting yourself uptight.

13 – Cultivate faith.

– Difficulties and tragedies happen to teach and test your faith. Believe that there is an advantage behind every misfortune, that there is a silver lining.
– Stay calm when you are faced with adversities. Find methods or seek advice to help you cope.

Other thoughts on patience:

– People who are impatient usually have difficulty resisting the need for immediate gratification. Sometimes they seem to be impulsive. The most famous quote about patience equates it with love: “Love is patient” (See 1 Corinthians 13:4).

– If you don’t have patience, you may find it difficult to reach your goals. Usually challenges and obstacles arise after setting important goals. People with patience follow the motto, “if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.” People who lack patience tend to quit when things get difficult.

– Getting impatient won’t make things move along any faster, so why get worked up?

Adopted from “life Lessons”.