Patience or Pessimism?
By Kay Prosser
Are you familiar with the phrase, "patience is a virtue"? Did it translate in your childhood as a forbidding, "don’t ask, the answer is no"? Even now, does reading this make you cringe a little?
Many admit that patience isn't their strong suit. In hearing this, I used to wonder what the fuss was about. Patience seemed necessary given life's slow pace of change. So, I was a little surprised when my guidance began to nudge me towards practising patience. I believed I was patient, save for a few exceptions. However, in calling on the vibration of patience, it has occurred to me that I might have mistaken pessimism for patience.
Misidentifying pessimism as patience can be a subtle but significant trap. Pessimism often involves a negative outlook and expectation of failure or disappointment. While patience involves waiting calmly and trustingly for things to unfold in their own time. Patience can lead to greater resilience, understanding, and peace of mind.
If pessimism seems a bit extreme for your experience, then perhaps the energy and mindset of resignation might be more familiar to you. Resignation, like pessimism, can also be a subtle trap that inhibits growth and change. While resignation may not carry the same negative connotations as pessimism, it can still limit your ability to envision and work towards a better future.
Patience, on the other hand, is about maintaining a sense of hope and optimism while accepting the present moment. It involves trusting that things can improve and being willing to work towards that improvement, even if it takes time. If you find yourself feeling resigned to your current circumstances, it may be helpful to re-frame your perspective.
Instead of seeing the present as being as good as it gets, try to cultivate a sense of possibility and openness to change. This doesn't mean denying or ignoring the challenges you face, but rather approaching them with a mindset of resilience and determination. Practicing gratitude, setting realistic goals, and seeking out new opportunities for growth and learning can help you move beyond resignation and towards a more positive and proactive approach to life.
Mistaking resignation for patience can be easy, especially when faced with persistent challenges or setbacks. When someone realizes, like I did, that they are actually very impatient with life, there are several strategies we can use to cultivate patience. Here are some ideas you can try out for yourself:
Self-Awareness and Mindfulness: Be aware of your thoughts, emotions, and reactions, opening up possibilities for growth.
Change Your Perspective: Guide your thoughts towards patience, optimism, and resilience. See setbacks as opportunities for learning and trust in the unfolding of time.
Set Goals and Dream: Allow yourself to dream for a warm, uplifting feeling. Set clear goals and break them into manageable steps.
Celebrate and Appreciate: Cultivate gratitude for the present and celebrate small victories to shift focus from impatience.
Seek Support: Surround yourself with positivity and seek joyous activities. Asking for help is okay and can provide new coping strategies.
Develop Resilience: Incorporate positives into your life to fuel resilience. Learn from challenges to become clearer in who you are and what you value.
Practice and Reflect: Be present without judgment. Engage in patience-building activities and reflect on your approach to situations.
By integrating these strategies into your daily routine, you can nurture a more patient and optimistic approach to life. This journey towards patience is ongoing, demanding practice and self-reflection. As you cultivate a more patient and optimistic outlook, you can enhance your overall sense of well-being. I, too, will be focusing on this journey, and I encourage you to join me in embracing the rewards of patience and optimism in our lives.
Kay, Sparkles Team