The Power of Patience: 6 Reasons Why Mastering Patience Is So Essential To Living Your Best Life

Do you find yourself constantly searching for the next thing? Always asking yourself "OK, What's next?!," or "when will this happen for me?" Maybe you feel like you're always rushing, or life is always rushing by you. If you're so focused on the when in most situations and experiences then you're most likely missing the beauty of what surrounds you in the now. 

Everyone and their mother has heard the old saying "Patience is a Virtue," but what makes it so virtuous and aren't virtues subjective and overrated anyway? The bigger idea around patience may not be about being virtuous but instead creating a better quality of life, here's why:

BEING PATIENT MEANS YOU HAVE TO BE MINDFUL:

Do you ever find yourself driving somewhere only to reach your final destination and realize you don't remember how you even got there? Our minds are frequently running on autopilot, but in order to be patient we have to be aware of our situations and the conditions around each situation. Awareness and mindfulness come into play because in order to be patient we have to control our thoughts and consistently remind ourselves why we need to wait, or what we need to wait for. Therefore, being mindful gives us the time to understand and feel what is truly going on in the moment, whether it's uncomfortable or exhilarating, which is essential to living a life full of meaning.

PATIENCE IS A PRACTICE, AND ALL WORTHY SKILLS COME WITH PRACTICE:

Sure sometimes it's nice to have something handed to you, but it's nicer working towards something and finally earning it. When you work for something it makes you more appreciative. Learning patience is no different. Patience is something that takes a lot of practice. You have to consciously remind yourself to be patient (hence being mindful). Every other thought has the ability to fight your patience but over time and experience you will learn how to control your thoughts and release outcomes. If you can practice, and ultimately learn how to control your thoughts and perspective you realize you have the ability to live the life you desire since you are in control.

IT GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS:

Being patient means slowing TF down and not allowing your emotions and thoughts to rapidly spiral out of control. When you practice patience and you're forced to slow down and be mindful you have the opportunity to weigh your options. When your mindfulness comes into play you're able to dissect what you truly feel, and if you have the ability to get really deep you can asses why you feel that way. If you can look inward and determine why you feel a certain way, whether it be limiting beliefs passed down to you or traumatic experiences, you have the ability to make the best decision knowing where these feelings or emotions are coming from. Without having the patience to sit with feelings or emotions, or the patience to dissect them, you may make an irrational, emotionally charged decision that could potentially make your situation worse.  

PATIENCE MAKES WAITING FOR NEARLY ANYTHING WORTH IT:

This idea goes back to earning something versus having it handed to you. Life is short and sometimes we take advantage of the things that we are given. However, when we are forced to wait for something it usually makes whatever it is we are waiting for that much sweeter; simply put we tend to appreciate and enjoy it more. Imagine if we were able to enjoy everything in the life the same way we appreciated and enjoyed the things we had to wait for. When you realize you have conquered patience and have finally received whatever you were waiting for you will feel so full of gratitude.

IT GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO TRULY ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR BLESSINGS:

When you're waiting or counting down for something to happen you forget to remember what you already have. A simple example that everyone could relate to would be sitting in traffic. Most people are extremely impatient, and sometimes inconsolable, while sitting in traffic: "why is this happening," "this is SO annoying," "I'm going to be late," "I have somewhere to be," etc. Some of us act like it's the end of the world. You can practice your patience in this setting because there is simply nothing you can do but wait through the traffic. You can use this time to be thankful and reflect on what you do have instead, like the car that you're sitting in or the job or event you're sitting in traffic to get to, or the fact that you're not the one who is potentially in the accident causing the traffic!

IT FORCES YOU TO LIVE IN THE PRESENT:

Living in the present allows you to live your best life because you are not holding on to a situation from the past or creating outcomes and expectations for the future. Simply put being present means that you are just enjoying your life and the situation you are in at that exact time. If you're able to practice patience you can acknowledge when you are putting pressure on a future that is yet to come or holding onto past mistakes, guilt, etc. Being patient allows you to enjoy the exact place that you are in in your life. A place that you have never once been before, and a place that you will never be in again. Being patient allows you to enjoy life for all the beauty despite the pain, or heart ache that can exist, for what it really is. 

I would love to hear your experiences around patience! What situations or instances have taught you the importance of patience? What lessons have you learned from practicing patience? Would you like to learn some tools that would help you learn and practice patience better?!