By Karen McMahon
Patience is a virtue
We are a result-driven society; an instant gratification culture. If we cannot add hot water and stir, zap it in the microwave, search it up in 15 seconds, or communicate it in 160 characters, we have NO time and No patience for it.
Children naturally have an “I want it and I want it NOW!” mentality. Yet aren’t we adults much the same? Do we not all find waiting unbearable most of the time. For instance, the outcome of your current predicament is not appearing clearly enough. Perhaps your marriage is not mending quickly enough. Maybe your promotion is not happening when you expected it to. When we get sick, laid off, or thrown one of life’s many monkey wrenches we want to know what is going to happen next and we REALLY want to know now! So what are the benefits of patience? How do we begin to develop this elusive skill?
According to St. Augustine, “Patience is the companion of wisdom.”
- Patience allows for the time and space to assess your situation and make thoughtful decisions.
- Patience slows you down long enough to learn from the opportunity presented.
- Patience affords you the opportunity to process what is going on resulting in empathy and compassion for others involved.
- Patience enables you to understand and appreciate the process of growth which is a lifelong lesson.
How can we begin to develop patience?
- Slow down. Take the time that you would normally wait impatiently and use it to think through your situation and act with a balance of caution and boldness.
- Stay in the moment. Whatever your situation, you can figure out your plan and begin to put it in effect. Staying in the moment enables you to be present with what IS happening right now and leave tomorrow’s worrys for another day.
- Take action in those areas in which you have control; this takes away the feeling of being a victim to circumstances.
- Surrender to the outcome. You are responsible for your effort, by surrendering to the outcome patience can be born of the knowledge that the rest is out of your control.
- Have faith. Trust that everything happens for a reason and at the right time.
“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish” ~ John Quincy Adams
Chief Visionary: Karen McMahon
Our team of coaches at JBD is passionate about helping men and women navigate the emotional difficulties of relationships, breakups and divorce. We work together with you to open the possibility that your current relationship challenges can lead to a rewarding voyage of self-discovery and an immensely more pleasing life experience. Together we create a path to clarity. Find out if Coaching is right for you, and accept my gift of one FREE session.
