5 Simple Ways To Cultivate Patience Effectively

Why is patience so important? Because it makes us pay attention.
Paulo Coelho

In the journey of life, we are often told to have patience. It is a trait that can help us conquer our difficult days. It teaches us to be kind and to have empathy. But it is not an easy virtue to inculcate. Seldom does it come naturally. We have to consciously practice being patient in our endeavors. And that in itself requires quite some diligence!

With all that is happening around us in the present times, being patient has gained an altogether different meaning. We are constantly having to persevere and tide over the days. Parents have turned into teachers, teachers have to master digital classes, essential workers have to brave the threat of the pandemic to provide their invaluable services, and many people are living with the constant anxiety of not knowing what will be the new normal.

Personally, I have been finding it extremely difficult to sleep. The anxiety of the unknown keeps me awake at night. Then, I spend my days being tired. In all of this, I have found that patience is the thing that helps me to maintain my sanity.

But it is easier said than done.

So, if like me, you are also finding it a bit difficult to hold your faith with patience, then this is for you. You are not alone in this and I hope my experience can help you a bit in your trying times.

Patience is The Key

We all have heard the phrase- patience is a virtue.

Well, it definitely is so. However, it is much more than just a virtue. It can be the key to assessing our situations more holistically. It can make us look at things differently and give us faith and hope in times of despair. For patience warrants that we still our minds and look beyond the obvious. It can be tremendously helpful when facing adversities or rejections in life.

How To Cultivate Patience Every Day?

Cultivating patience in everyday life requires a conscious effort from our end. It is very easy to slip up and forget to endure in the face fo frustration. However, it is not impossible. And being patient goes beyond deep calming breaths and looking at the bigger picture. It is a habitual skill that needs to be honed with care and focus.

Here are 5 practices that can be immensely helpful if you are trying to be a little bit more patient today. I follow them whenever I can and incorporate them into my life actively.

1. Understand What is Bothering You

Impatience stems from the feeling that something isn’t right or isn’t going our way. So, the first thing that makes being patient a bit easier is to understand what is bothering us.

Find out the root cause for that restlessness and you will surely find a way to deal with it. None of our feelings happen in a void. Everything happens within the ambit of “cause and effect”. Even those times when we do not know why we feel down have a reason.

Adopt a bottom-up approach in this case, if you will. Find the reason for your impatience and then proceed from there.

2. Watch Your Thoughts and Emotions

It is quite easy to fall into a cycle of negative thoughts. And negative thoughts bring on uncomfortable feelings and emotions, like impatience. So it is important to watch those thoughts that come to your mind. Know if they can trigger you.

As mentioned earlier, being patient involves conscious efforts on our parts. That includes checking our emotions and channelizing them in a positive manner. That way, you can be more calm and composed and find the strength to tide over the stress-ridden times.

3. Indulge in a Meditative Exercise

Many people vouch for meditation as an excellent way to inculcate patience and calmness in daily life. But it is not for everyone. There are individuals who find it difficult to still their thoughts in meditation.

If you are someone who faces that problem, then consider doing an activity that has the tranquil effects of meditating. This can be anything like painting, lifting weights, listening to a podcast or music, or even folding laundry! Remember, you do not have to sit in meditation per se. Rather, you have to indulge in a meditative activity that can bring you serenity.

4. Expect to Have Lapses

Can you expect to be patient all the time? Absolutely not. There will be lapses and you have to accept that. It is not humanly possible for someone to always be composed in the face of uncertainty. Monks are an exception though in my book.

So, unless you have mastered your desires and vices as a practicing monk, you will have episodes of volatility. There will be times when you will not be able to retain reason and stay calm. The trick is to know that such an occurrence can happen.

And when it does, accept it and move on with your life. Dwelling on the lapse will only make it harder down the road.

5. Remember That Things Change

Change is the only constant in life. You cannot lose your patience because something is not happening like it used to. Or someone is not behaving as they did before.

When facing the uncertainties of life, remember that everything is transient. People, their emotions, behaviors, the way things have been done in the past- everything can evolve. Just like the present pandemic situation we are in. Our very definition of normal life has changed now. Instead of focusing on that, it is important that we understand that this very ephemeral nature is the essence of life.

Patience comes much easier when we learn to accept this one simple truth of life.

This Too Shall Pass, But…

In the vein of that last thought, we can always console ourselves with the overused adage- this too shall pass when faced with difficult situations.

Yes, they will. But such incidents will also leave behind memories of how we reacted in the face of them. And when looking back, we can find some consolation when we see that we acted with patience and grace instead of being a total mess.

There are many reasons to cultivate patience in our daily lives. However, the most important of all is that it can help us maintain our sanity and think and act reasonably. Moreover, when you remain calm in a crisis, people around you draw inspiration from you. You can be their anchor.

Now think of the positive impact you can have with your patience!

Peace.

Do you have any related experience or story to tell? Please share in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.