“Patience is not simply the ability to wait — it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” – Joyce Meyer
We are getting out again and experiencing more crowds. We are able to do almost everything without that mask. We must be a little more patient. I observed a long line of parents with beautifully dressed children awaiting an Easter picture in the mall. If you have ever waited for anything with children, you know how anxiety-provoking this can be. This situation called for major patience for those parents with those well-dressed children.
Patience is a virtue. We arrive on this earth without patience and it is a lifelong process to develop this amazing quality. So how do you behave — when the stoplight catches you when you are in a hurry? Or behind a slow driver? Or someone in the checkout line needs a little extra time? Do you behave well or behave badly? Is your time so precious that you roll your eyes to the others in line and LOL with one another? Do you wait patiently, or do you misbehave while you wait? Most people do not wait patiently. We live in a fast-paced, impatient world where every minute matters.
Next time your mind is racing with thoughts of frustration and anxiety. Take three deep breaths and search your thoughts for the source of your tension. Once you find it, focus on it. With your breath, imagine exhaling your tension with every breath. Think of it as breathing out the bad energy while keeping you in the present moment and behaving well!
Once you can stabilize your thoughts when impatience strikes, you can begin to identify and counteract your triggers. Were you running late? Had you skipped a meal? Were you feeling physically uncomfortable?
“We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.” – Helen Keller
Being impatient is an attempt to move faster into the future. Into a moment where you are comfortable and happy. The harsh reality is the only way to get there is to wait — preferably patiently. You are here, in the present moment. You aren’t going anywhere. No matter how much you huff and puff, once you realize this and accept the situation for this moment, you can focus on making the best of it. Finally, remember my friends and readers, embrace Ephesians 4:2-3 “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”Love God and All People. Amen.
