There are a multitude of quotes and let’s be honest, out-and-out platitudes when it comes to this wholesome virtue of patience.  But this one from Bruce Lee really struck a chord with me: “Patience is not passive, on the contrary, it is concentrated strength.”

Wow.  I had to take a minute and parse this out.  Here’s my take. Patience -  an active process, not a passive occurrence.  Patience – a concentrated effort, read work, demonstrating resilience.  Patience – the act of doing something difficult through the simple act of being present and waiting.

This resonates on so many levels, and especially in these tumultuous times.  As knee-jerk reactions are more prevalent than ever, tempers are as flammable as dry timber, and we’re all in a steady state of anxiety on one level or another, who has any strength left over for patience?!?

Like many other necessities, we have to MAKE the effort, dig deep to find that strength.  How?  Try taking 5 seconds to inhale deeply & exhale audibly.  This is a fairly simple physical way to force ourselves to reset, recalibrate, and – momentarily – recharge. 

Not working? 

Close your eyes.  Visualize your favorite anything – food, drink, trip, location, person, fur baby, song, etc.  Stay with this visualization for 5-10 seconds.  Count if you have to.  Now open your eyes.  Hopefully the world looks a little less blurry, flying past a bit slower. 

Still not working. 

Man, it’s been a DAY.  Not one ounce left to give, let alone step away & within.

OK, step OUT.  Get OUT.  As in OUTSIDE. 

It’s raining. 

Fine, go to another room. Grab a marker, pen, pencil – WHATEVER YOU CAN.  Scribble, write, draw, get it out of your brain and on paper.

Seriously? THIS?  Will ANY of THIS help with patience??

Yep.

How?

When we take a moment to step outside – either literally or metaphorically, there is an automatic reset to our internal workings.  Neurologically & physiologically a re-registering effect occurs, especially if there are temperature or light changes involved.  Any physical reaction takes time and will then quite literally force us to stop and let it happen.  It’s nearly instantaneous, and we’ll miss it if we don’t pay attention.  But if we do take a moment, just seconds, to recognize the shift in consciousness, the dilation or constriction of our pupils, the waft of a breeze, sun on our skin, breath in our lungs – this awareness starts a chain reaction.  One that if encouraged to continue, can and will shift into a mindset that allows us to take more than mere seconds and reconnect with ourselves, and in turn with one another.

Is this easy?  Not at all.  Distractions and detractors set upon us from all angles – personal, professional, political – you name it, and there’s something that can trigger a reaction and snatch any shred of fortitude we have left.  Kids that need us for walks, food, hugs, or homework.  Partners that need to connect, deadlines that we have to meet, pundits that just need a moment of our time…and only 24 hours in a day.  Factor in that we’re all used to instant gratification.  Need an answer – google it.  Don’t have time to talk – text it.  Hungry?  Multiple delivery options - food is there in 5 minutes.  We’re programmed to expect immediate results from every avenue, including ourselves.

This is why the above suggestions may help with an increase in self-patience.  If we’re able to take moments for ourselves, stop doing things that aren’t truly important, and make ourselves simply sit back and wait, we’ll in turn be able to – eventually – have patience for others. 

Patience.  It is not a passive process, but one that takes a concentrated effort. I for one believe we all have the inner strength to see it done.  So let’s take our time and wait it out, together.