Practicing Patience

Season swings into full gear.  The roadways slow to a snail pace; the restaurants promise one- hour waits; and grocery aisles are crowded with confused shoppers. These are times that try our patience.

 Does this old fashioned virtue have a place in the 21^st Century?

 Even during season....

Patience is more important now than ever.  Patience is a state of inner tranquility that allows us to respond to this hyperactive life in a calm, cool, and collected way.  It helps us withstand the pain, hardship, misfortune and provocations that are an inevitable fact of life.

Patience, though is not a grim resignation to the realities of life.  It’s a persistent striving toward of hoped for goal.  There is as much difference between genuine patience and sullen endurance as there is between a loving smile and the malicious gnashing of teeth.

Patience strengthens our spirit, giving us courage and endurance. Patient people are models of self confidence and control. It helps us make better decisions and manage our lives. Our relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers become more positive.

However, we aren’t born with patience. 

Patience is a choice and takes practice:

1.Begin by identifying situations, people or times when you have succeeded in being patient.  Identify what worked and apply it to the most challenging situations. 

2. Examine what triggers your impatience. Notice the early warning signs, often a physical reaction and an inflammatory internal message, that tells you that you're about to run out of patience.  This awareness can help you apply your “best practices” to your worst times.

 3.  Take 10 minutes daily to check in with yourself, how you're feeling and what you need. Taking care of your own needs allows you to be more patient with others' needs.

 4.  Practice a centering exercise or meditation for another 10 minutes daily. This allows you to set aside the "noise" of the day and reconnect with purpose of your day.

 5.  Do less.  Expect the unexpected and build flexibility into your life.

 6. Focus on your ultimate goal in order to maintain your persistence and patience.

For more ideas on maintaining patience in the moment, call the EAP at 433-1211.