Patience

Patience

/ˈpāSHəns/

the ability to wait, or to continue doing something despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed:

I consider myself to be quite a patient person (at times). Relationships, work, life challenge my patience every day. 

My morning meditation is a lesson in being patient with my thoughts and with my time. Funnily enough, waiting for the bus demands a similar type of patience.

The daily/monthly flow of hormones throughout my body forces me to be patient with my emotions and my body. Most of the time, it is necessary to just surrender.

In the clinical setting, patience is often coupled with sitting in a level of discomfort whilst space is being held for my clients. The other side of that discomfort often brings clarity.

The irony is, the more patience you display, the more some people will attempt to test your resolve. Anyone who spends time caring for children will know they are champions at this. 

One thing I have come to learn is that not everyone deserves my patience. Continuing to be patient “despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed” is not always in the best interest of my mental health.

Patience is the guiding principle that prevents us from rushing to judgment or acting impulsively. It gives us a few moments to question “If I…then this…then what?”. Without this, our actions are likely to negatively impact our lives and everyone around us.

Patience reminds me that I am human. It reminds me that I am fallible. It reminds me to forgive and ask for forgiveness.