Finding PATIENCE

In our hurry up, go faster, get more done society, it may be surprising to find that one of the keys to keeping it all together is patience. Think about how you feel when stuck in traffic or you're in a slow line at the store and your child is throwing a tantrum. That growing feeling of unpleasantness is impatience. Your nerves are frazzled, your heart is racing and you aren’t accomplishing a thing! What to do? Practice patience. Patience will help quiet the outrage, soothe the horribleness, and let go of the frustration.

Here are some tips to help you harness patience when you need it:

  1. Give up the fight. Stop. Your frenzy is useless.
  2. Accept the situation you are in. Become aware of the tension in your body. Take a deep breathe, relax your muscles, and unclench your jaw.
  3. Know that everything is going to be okay. Call to say you will be late, take a break from what you are doing, and get help with the kids.
  4. Take care of yourself. You may find that you lose your patience less when you have eaten a healthy meal, had a good nights sleep and have found at least a small fraction of time doing something you enjoy each day.

"Patience is also a form of action."   Auguste Rodin