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We all know that patience is a virtue. As
per famous proverb: "all good things come to those who wait".
However, lately I have thought about this concept further in trying to
understand what being patient actually entails.
The normal dictionary definition of
patience states that it is a capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or
suffering without getting angry or upset. As Wikipedia puts it: "Patience
is the level of endurance one can take before negativity".
I recall that about 15 years ago I would
have been considered to be a very patient person. These days, with kids, a
career and wanting to get some quality of life, I often find this virtue
slipping through my fingers. Realising my own shortcomings, I have made a
conscious effort to stop my thoughts in their tracks, just as my emotions are
about to spill into the dangerous territory of becoming angry or upset. I have
learned that being patient has many benefits in life, including:
1.
Becoming
a better listener and more empathetic towards others, thus allowing others time
to properly interact with you;
2.
Making
better decisions as you are less likely to be irrational and fueled by emotion;
3.
Being
able to teach your children right from wrong without screaming, loosing your
cool and showing them the wrong example of behaviour (this one is the hardest
by far);
4.
Developing
faith and belief in yourselves and your ability to get to the end result you
are so patiently waiting for;
5.
Reducing
the levels of stress and anxiety; and
6.
Improving
self-control.
Aristotle once said that "patience
is bitter, but its fruit is sweet". Most definitely, not often will you
see the light at the end of the tunnel to be able to guide your thoughts and
emotions in the right direction. However, all we can do is try our hardest. If
all people in the world had at least 5% more patience and tolerance for things
to come, we would be living in a very different world.
by Jane Garber
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