Written by Anhayla Stanley

Have you been patient with yourself lately?

Have you been kind to yourself?

Have you forgiven yourself when you made a mistake or have fallen short?

“Love is patient, Love is kind. Love is slow to give or take offense.”

The thing about patience is it seems easy but it is a muscle that has to be strengthened. We have been taught to always be in a hurry. We have places to get to and people to meet. We rush during rush hour traffic, we rush to work, we rush our dreams and and sometimes we even rush the process. Patience is about expanding capacity in your life so you can deal effectively with the things that happen in life without falling a part or adding unnecessary suffering.

Patience is about being present in the moment.

Acknowledge whats going on in your life, lean in to how you are feeling but don't become overwhelmed about the things you cannot control. Life is going to happen. You may encounter money problems, mobility issues, family drama and everything else under the sun. On the other hand, Life may bring you fortune, prosperity and sunny days. Patience is when you can be present with the ups and the downs that life brings you and realize that it all is a part of your journey.

When you stay in the present moment you can find joy in all things that present itself in your life. Even when things are going not as you hoped and your you find yourself in despair, being patient and in the present moment will help you notice something you may have missed by rushing the process. You will start to find joy in the things that we often take for granted like breathing, walking, laughing and human connection.

You will start to bring balance to your life because you are not reacting to simply what is happening. Instead, you are acknowledging what already is. The things that you prayed and wished for years ago that came true. The blessings that are all around you daily. When you're patient and in the present moment...you will find joy.

Patience means thinking about others.

Usually the things that happen in your life involve other people. There are always two sides to a story, two sides to a coin and unlimited perspectives to a situation. When you start to find patience in your life you start to see the world differently. You don't immediately react to negative emotions...you don't rush these feeling either. You give them time and space to simply exist without trying to control or change them. This allows you to see from the perspective of others.

Patience means thinking about yourself.

Many decisions that I've made in the past seemed to be the best choice for me at the moment but now looking back, some didn't serve me at all. I was so focused on always making the right decision that I never stopped to think what I truly wanted in my life. Now, I take my time and ask myself the deep questions that require stillness and space. I slow down so I can take care of myself.

As you start to bring awareness to yourself, you will find more empathy and learn that patience isn't about being right or wrong, its about maintaining your internal peace.

Patience means not giving up.

Patience takes a lot of work because of the reprograming of the mind that it requires. Give yourself grace and realize that patience is a life journey and it gets better day by day. You will get stronger and your patience will in time create an abundance of joy that cannot be taken away by outside influences. Always be willing to learn. Don't be afraid to be the student and a practitioner. That way you'll never be in a place of complacency and always willing to go deeper.

You are building a new framework in your mind and that takes effort.

Be patient with yourself. If you mess up, don’t be discouraged. Take a breath, find gratitude, forgive yourself and keep going.