- Unrealized Purpose
- Posts
- The Truth about Patience
The Truth about Patience
Isaac Wooden & Dalton Howell
August 24, 2023
Defining Patience
The first step in understanding patience as suffering is to redefine our perception of patience itself.
Often, patience is seen as the passive act of waiting, but in reality, it involves an active choice to endure and stay consistent.
The suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness.
Take note of the first four words in the definition.
It’s important to understand that there is a big difference between patience and procrastination.
We could argue that "we’re just being patient” but in reality we are making an excuse as to why we can’t start.
Embracing Suffering
Patience teaches us to embrace suffering rather than avoid it.
It reminds us that growth often occurs in the face of hardship and challenges.
By accepting pain and suffering, we allow ourselves to get stronger and grow.
It’s important to remember that life is painful at times and struggle is necessary.
That’s the beauty of life, right?
Building Inner Strength
Have patience. All things are difficult before they are become easy.
When faced with difficult circumstances, we have a choice: to succumb to frustration or to approach it with patience.
A good example of pushing through the pain is hitting the gym.
At rep 6-8 we have to make a decision - do we continue to to push through or do we give up and know we didn’t push as hard as we could have.
Empathy and Understanding
Patience is not passive; on the contrary, it is active; it is concentrated strength.
When we patiently listen and acknowledge their struggles, we can offer support and compassion.
Patience allows us to see beyond surface-level and try to look at situations through different perspectives.
Applying Patience
We can practice patience by being present in the moment, allowing things to unfold in their own time, and reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth.
When we are not present it’s easy to react to a situation without thinking our responses through.
Practice being present throughout the week.
Don’t pass judgement about situations or people.
Just exist.
Notice what’s happening around you.
Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.
If you enjoyed this newsletter so far here is the podcast episode that sparked this letter. Let us know what you think!
Until next time,
Isaac Wooden/ Dalton Howell