My son woke up very early on Easter morning, excited to begin his search for Easter eggs.
I told him that he had to wait until his sister woke up in the morning before his hunt could begin.
At first, he waited patiently, and then the question: How much longer? started to pop up more frequently. He’s still learning to tell time so he didn’t know.
Finally, we hear the pitter-patter of little feet coming down the stairs and his sister appears. My son was very happy until she said, I have to pee first…and then he started to cry. He had waited beyond what he could wait and couldn’t take it anymore.
What I told him was, those eggs are not going anywhere. I hid exactly half for him and half for his sister and no one else was going to have them but them.
This allowed me to reflect: How often do I throw a temperature tantrum because I’m upset at the timing of the universe?
Where in my life do I get frustrated because something isn’t happening fast enough for me or at my timing?
I also need the reminder that what is meant for me, will be mine and what isn’t, will not be.
Developing Patience
Patience is not something that comes naturally to most of us. It is a skill that can be developed through practice and perseverance. Here are some tips on how to cultivate patience:
- Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness can help us to become more aware of our thoughts and emotions, and to observe them without judgment. This can help us to respond to situations with greater equanimity and to avoid reacting impulsively.
- Self-care: Taking care of our physical and mental health can help us to cope better with stress and to have more energy and resilience.
- Gratitude: Cultivating a sense of gratitude can help us to focus on the positive aspects of our lives and to appreciate what we have, rather than what we lack.
- Perspective: Stepping back and gaining perspective can help us to see situations in a broader context and to recognize that they are usually temporary and manageable.
- Patience exercises: Practicing small acts of patience, such as waiting in line or traffic, can help us to build our patience muscles and to develop more tolerance for delay and uncertainty.
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