They say patience is a virtue. For many of us, it is also elusive and has to be sought out. Patience needs to be cultivated and actively practiced… again and again. This requires perseverance, which in its own turn, demands patience. And since that is not our forte, we are back to the beginning. For this is one instance where practice doesn’t necessarily make perfect. It just makes for frustration, which we could do without.
Amidst the fast-paced hectic life of today, there is simply no time to sit and patiently wait. Days and months seemingly fly by faster than we would like, or can comfortably process. Partly as a result of the pandemic, we have become only too aware of how precious time is, and don’t want to waste a single minute of what is before us. And so, patience seems an outdated unproductive use of the time available.
How often have we been advised or admonished by those around us to slow down, relax… and “stay in the moment.” This latter has become quite the popular axiom of late. It used to be, “stop and smell the roses.” However, when you’re in a hurry, or running late… stopping to smell roses is the last thing on your mind.
And with a multitude of tasks to complete in a finite amount of time… being told to stay in the moment is not exactly a helpful or welcome suggestion either. So negative emotions arise; increasing the pressure already felt to get it done – yesterday. Next thing you know we’re tied up in knots, feeling tight, totally unproductive… and exhausted.
No, staying in the moment or smelling roses is not necessarily the answer. Or is it? Maybe, it’s all in how you look at it.
Generally, we equate patience with being passive. An inactive state of mind or being, which goes against the grain in this hurry-up, get a move on world. Yet patience can be seen as ‘active’ waiting. Taking advantage of the fullness of time, whereby further guidance or ideas may be forthcoming, because we are not just rushing blindly into something. But instead, are making use of whatever the wait or delay, to further study a given situation. Putting it on the back burner, so to speak.
Hence, our action when it does come, is fully informed rather than a precipitant or hastily-made decision. This makes for a better, and possibly more favorable, outcome in the long run. Patience is not sitting around twiddling your thumbs, but is in actuality accomplishing something. Heard that one about ‘rushing in where angels fear to tread’? Looked at in this light, patience seems not only more acceptable, but wiser in its determination
When patience is understood as ‘active’ waiting, then we are apt to feel a certain degree of control; less at the mercy of time or circumstance. This makes for a calmer, more relaxed state of mind… not to mention a heathier, more productive one. Placing us in a stronger position to read whatever signs may present or be forthcoming, which can offer added guidance or suggestion.
And thus, allow for the opportunity to readjust our thinking and action towards a more advantageous outcome. This is a good thing. For sometimes new ideas or improvements can be discerned with time, which would otherwise have been overlooked or lost in the attempt to get it done… yesterday.
The thing about actively waiting is how it shows a kind of faith. Faith in yourself, and also belief. That given time, the patience so hard won will hopefully bear the fruit desired. For hope also has a place within the realm of patience. Faith, belief, and hope – together this provides for a more true and trusted result. Presenting an outcome which you can be certain is the right one, for having been given due thought and consideration amidst the fullness of time.
Of course, no one said patience would be easy… or enjoyable. It requires work and demands attention. For those of us not blessed with patience as part of our DNA, it will be a struggle on occasion. And so, we press on cultivating and practicing this coveted virtue.
Understanding that the results achieved will be more than worth our time and effort.
St. Francis de Sales advised…
Have patience with all things,
But first of all with yourself.
Now, this is the most important ‘art’ of patience…
granting yourself the needed time and attention.
Amen!
