The Voice of Patience
Post written by Leo Babauta.
There are moments when other people just set you off, and you lose your patience.
It is the downfall of many of us coworkers, children, spouses, other drivers, irritating people on the subway they can grate, they can anger.
And it can ruin your day. You clench your jaw, you replay imaginary arguments in your head, or worse, you snap. And then you feel like crap.
How can we find the patience?
I will admit that Im no saint. Just like everyone else, I get annoyed, and I will say things in a less-than-kind tone. Im learning.
Heres what helps me:
First, I learn to be aware of the emotions that rush up from nowhere.
I learn to accept those emotions as perfectly fine.
And I watch them, but dont act.
I will talk to those emotions, like theyre a little child: its OK to be mad, but breathe. Talk to the other person, after youve calmed down, about the problem.
And then I breathe.
I remind my childlike emotions: other people are different, and thats good. Celebrate humanity and all its glorious varieties. When people live and work together, there will be friction, and that is a part of the mix of humanity.
I remind: life is too short to waste my days in irritation and anger. Dont let other peoples problems become my own.
I then give thanks. Gratitude solves all problems. I am grateful for having this friend, or stranger, in my life, and Im grateful for the chance to even be here, and for the incredible life I have.
I talk to the other person, when Ive calmed down, with compassion. I respond with love. It often will melt the other persons jagged edges, and things will go better.
Patience isnt an easy thing, but the alternative is much worse. Love will triumph if you let it.
