It is the downfall of many of us — co-workers, children, spouses, other drivers, irritating people on the train — they can grate, they can anger.
And it can ruin your day. You clench your jaw, you replay imaginary arguments in your head, or worse, you snap. And then you feel like crap.
How can we find the patience?
I will admit that I’m no saint. Just like everyone else, I get annoyed, and I will say things in a less-than-kind tone........I’m learning!
Here’s what helps me:
First, I learn to be aware of the emotions that rush up from nowhere.
I learn to accept those emotions as perfectly fine.
And I watch them, but don’t act.
I will talk to those emotions, like they’re a little child:
it’s OK to be mad, but breathe.
I remind my childlike emotions:
other people are different, and that’s good.
When people live and work together, there will be friction, and that is a part of the mix of humanity.
I remind myself:
life is too short to waste my days in irritation and anger. Don’t let other people’s problems become my own.
I then give thanks.
Gratitude solves all problems.
I am grateful for having this friend, or stranger, in my life, and I’m grateful for the chance to even be here, and for the incredible life I have.
Patience isn’t an easy thing, but the alternative is much worse.
Love will triumph if we let it.
"Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears."
~~ Barbara Johnson
Ellie, one of my cats, is teaching me patience and I love her dearly for it. Photo taken March 2008.
