Patience

I dream about patience. This is something I have a hard time with. The ability to wait, especially when something is difficult, is often matched with complaints or haste decisions. As a mother of 3 sons I have to deal with a lack of patience on their end as well as my own. Maybe my kids got it from me.

I have always been an anxious person. Just thinking of what to make for dinner is enough to cause me to worry. Do I have all of the ingredients? Will the kids like it? Will my husband like it? What if I burn it? Will I be able to feed my family something else if they hate it? At this point I am thinking of an alternative menu, just in case.

Geez! How can I be so worried about something that hasn’t even happened yet? At any rate, it might not even happen, and I’ve worked myself up for no reason. That’s the battle I have everyday with anxiety; with the big things and the small things. And let me tell you, it is not fun.

That is why I dream of patience. To have a mind calm enough to deal with life’s trials is what I wish for.

The future is always a formidable opponent. It knows nothing, it gives no hint of its character, and it stays looming for all eternity. We must practice the art of living in the present, which offers us everything we see before us.

But how do we deal with uncertainty? How do we have enough patience to help us get through the tough moments in life? I’ve always been told that we shouldn’t just wait for things to happen; we have to make things happen. If that’s true, then what is the use of patience?

Well, here’s the deal: patience is not indifference. Being patient means you actually bear the pains of life, while being indifferent means you don’t care about what is happening. Patience is the ability or habit of going through life’s ups and downs without complaining. Indifference is a complete lack of interest.

So yes, you must go out and chase down your dreams. You must try your best at everything you do. And yes, it will be hard. There will be difficult moments that you are bound to run in to.

But during those times, hold strong to your patience. Be steadfast through the difficulties, oppositions, and adversities. And remember, it won’t always be this hard.

If you have a difficult time with patience, like me, share your experience and comment below.