Patience is the Key to Joy

Mascari, Brooke. October 4th, 2024

In today’s world, everything is instantaneous. We’ve created a society that demands instant gratification.

This is very helpful in many ways and allows us to be more productive and accomplish more in a day than ever before possible! However, there are times when things do not work out how we want. Sometimes waiting is unavoidable.

Whether it’s waiting for our computer to start up, waiting for a package to arrive, waiting for a friend who is late for a meeting, or waiting for dinner to finish cooking; these are daily moments in which we need to be patient. To not simply wait, but wait without complaining, being irritated, frustrated, angry, or restless.

An Arabic Proverb states,

“Haste is the key to sorrow, while patience is the key to joy.”

Franz Kafka states,

“You need not leave your room. Remain sitting at your table, and listen. You need not even wait, just learn to become quiet, still, and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked; it has no choice. It will roll with ecstasy at your feet.”

Who wouldn’t want that?!

Let’s become aware of our ability to be patient!

How easily do we become upset when we have to wait? Do we get annoyed with minor delays? Do we tend to act rashly or impulsively? Are we restless now thinking of what needs to get done today? When we are calm and centered, our stress levels decrease and all areas of life improve.

When we find ourselves being impatient, stop, take a few deep breaths, and be aware of our breathing. When we do this, it allows us to come into the present moment, align with what’s important, realize what’s true, and gain perspective rather than allowing our impatience and restlessness to control us.

Patience is a practice that calms our nervous system, takes us out of lack (the feeling that we don’t have enough of something; even if it’s time), and helps us to appreciate things for how they are in the current moment. So, patience is a practice that is both helpful and healing! It improves relationships, boosts happiness, and creates a space for homeostasis/healing.

As you go about and enjoy the remainder of your day, become aware of when and what causes you to be impatient, and then take a breath. See if you can be a little more tolerant and understanding. See if you can have compassion when things don’t go as planned. Practice waiting! Patience allows us to value and enjoy life to a greater degree.

Remember, the reward of patience, is patience.

Blessings on your journey to higher health,

Havah Holistic Health