Patience is a timeless virtue celebrated across sacred texts and wisdom traditions.
In the Bhagavad Gita,
It's called determination in goodness.
In the Tao Te Ching,
It's likened to ice melting slowly.
But what about patience on the scale of a glacier,
An immense monumental capacity few truly attain?
Developing such depth of patience is a lifelong journey shaped by experiences that gradually build sage-like wisdom.
Patience resists easy definition.
It's not quite an emotion,
Though emotions like restlessness,
Frustration,
Hope,
And anxiety often surface in its presence.
More than a trait,
Patience is a quality akin to discipline or temperance,
Empowering us to navigate life's inevitable pauses and setbacks.
Many spiritual paths,
Such as Sikhism,
Frame patience as sabah,
A calm trust in divine timing and acceptance of the present.
Patience and temperance go hand in hand.
While temperance helps us neutralize desire,
Patience introduces the element of time,
Creating the restraint needed to see things through.
Together,
These virtues form a solid foundation for endurance,
Clarity,
Purpose,
Especially in times of hardship.
Temperance frees us from the need for instant rewards or validation.
Patience then serves as the fuel to carry us through.
With these virtues,
We can strive toward long-term meaningful goals without rushing for immediate gratification.
Although patience doesn't bring awards or accolades,
Its benefits are profound.
True patience fosters fortitude,
Clear decision-making,
And inner harmony,
Enabling us to face adversity without losing heart.
It allows us to move through life's long and uncertain paths with calmness and balance.
Patience differs by scale and context.
Short-term patience is what we call upon in daily frustrations,
Waiting in line,
Navigating traffic,
Or troubleshooting problems.
Techniques like mindful breathing help us regain focus.
Long-term patience,
Required for life's larger goals like building a career,
Nurturing relationships,
Or fostering personal growth,
Demands deep resilience and a sense of purpose to stave off discouragement.
Long-term patience keeps us committed despite delays,
Empowering us with the conviction to handle uncertainty.
Examples of patience abound in stories of strength and survival.
Reuben Hurricane Carter wrongfully convicted,
Spent 20 years in prison before his release.
Edison persevered through countless failed attempts before developing the light bulb,
Famously stating,
I have not failed,
I've just found 10,
000 ways that don't work.
Abe Lincoln's path was marked by setbacks,
Yet he remained true to his values.
In modern survival stories,
Such as Aaron Ralston's self-rescue after being trapped for six days in a Utah slot canyon,
Or the 1972 Uruguayan rugby team's 72-day crucible in the Andes,
Enduring a plane crash,
Avalanches,
And extreme hunger,
They showed how patience,
Resolve,
And unimaginable sacrifice reveal the depths of human strength.
Mastering patience often teaches us to live in the present and release the frustration of unmet expectations.
Leading to a profound sense of freedom.
Over time,
Patience builds fortitude,
Helping us let go of past pain and face new challenges with a lighter heart.
In this way,
Patience is not only a skill,
But also a pathway to self-discovery and inner calm.
Practicing mindfulness helps cultivate patience by allowing us to see clearly,
Avoid snap judgments,
And stay adaptable to our surroundings.
Patience isn't passive waiting,
It's an active and enduring stance that emboldens us to persevere,
Harnessing dignity and composure while navigating periods of waiting and fostering growth without yielding to negativity or despair.
I go into this more in my Freedom From Failure course in the class Active Patience Is More Than Waiting.
Adawa's proverb reminds us that muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.
Active patience helps us nurture long-term projects with care,
Appreciating each developmental stage.
As we practice restraint and let events unfold,
Patience sharpens our creativity and insight.
Leading to breakthroughs,
Patience changes how we experience time.
When we accept life as it unfolds,
We are freed from imposing rigid timelines on achievements.
Living in the present helps us embrace life's full range of experiences,
Nurturing gratitude and reducing self-centered cravings.
Patience often involves choices that protect our energy,
Whether setting boundaries in challenging relationships or disengaging from negativity.
Patience supports integrity and self-respect.
It deepens compassion,
Helping us empathize with others' experiences.
Over time,
We become more tolerant of individualities that once tested us,
Our responses become less impulsive,
And we navigate conflicts with clarity.
In the end,
Patience is a lifelong practice of learning,
Self-compassion,
And endurance.
Cultivated through challenges,
Patience draws us closer to wisdom,
Opening the door to greater tranquility and peace of mind.
