Practicing Patience

Prior to his passing, the very funny comedian John Pinette had a hysterically relatable monologue entitled, “Lines Drive Me Crazy.” I couldn’t help to think about this standup act as I stood in line for Laff Trakk at Hersheypark a few months ago. It’s really not lines that drive me crazy though, it’s the waiting.

I am self-admittedly not very patient. When I want something, the longer I wait, the more my anticipation grows. Anticipation births excitement and stress. I find it fascinating that I can experience the same feelings (in varying degrees) while waiting for a birth announcement, a test diagnosis, or even that first ride on a new coaster. You most likely agree when we wait longer than expected, frustration sets in. We wonder what’s taking so long and in some cases, we finish writing the story in our head based on suppositions rather than fact. We think things like, “My MRI probably shows a tumor, and they are waiting for the right time to tell me. And it’s almost Christmas, how will I tell the family? Maybe we shouldn’t hold off on Disney.”

Reading those last phrases out loud demonstrates just how vivid our imaginations can be when we become impatient. We want answers on our schedule. When I was younger, I heard a pastor say that she rarely prayed for patience because the Lord would surely test it. But if practice makes perfect, perhaps practice is exactly what we need. What does practicing patience look like?

1. Releasing control. Wanting something your way and on your timeline is all about control. You cannot control long lines or the passing of time. Dwelling on the wait doesn’t bring about resolution, but releasing control will reduce the stress in waiting.
2. Resting in the present. After releasing control, it’s important to take inventory of the present conditions, realizing that the rush you feel may be self-induced. You must identify fact from fiction and create a place of rest for your mind. Don’t write a fiction story in the midst of non-fiction circumstances.
3. Focusing on others. During our impatient moments we foolishly believe the world should focus on us. We fail to comprehend why traffic won’t move fast enough, why our children won’t put on their shoes, or why our colleague isn’t ready to leave for lunch. After releasing control and resting in the present, it’s time to put selfish ambitions aside and focus on others’ needs. Your own impatience can then dissolve to a minor annoyance that barely raises your pulse.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m most certainly a work in progress when patience is required. It’s hard enough to spell patience, let alone live it. But the sooner we release control, rest in the present and refocus our energy, the sooner patience will become instinctive during the wait.

Question: What are you waiting on this week? How can implementing these three practices bring you peace during the wait? Comment below and sign-up to receive new posts via email.