In each moment of life we have an opportunity to demonstrate and practice patience. Writing this blog right now I’m finding myself to be struggling with frustration, perfection, and distractions, but I’m choosing to keep sitting at the computer and allow my frustration to run it’s course while I stay committed to the task at hand. I deepen my breathing, bring my awareness to the positive aspects of why I’m writing, and center my focus. My mind wanders here and there, but I do my best to bring it back to the breath.
As you make your way through your day begin to notice when you become impatient or when you are being patient. It’s interesting to notice the things that bother us and the things that we allow to breeze on by. For some people waiting for the train can be a huge test of patience, or standing in line at a store. For others, it’s no big deal, what is at the root that causes the difference in attitude? Sometimes the anticipation of an event or activity is what causes impatience. Acknowledge why you may be feeling the way you do, and without making yourself wrong, honor that space by allowing the feeling to pass through your mind and body.
This month there will be lots of holiday parties that create opportunities to practice being patient with yourself and others. For example, perhaps you are someone who is always on time, but your friend is always late. While you wait for your friend notice your thought pattern, do your best not to get attached to the anger associated with the most likely thoughts, and instead observe and perhaps bring the focus to how to have a conversation with your friend in a way that works without attitude or making them wrong. Can you create a space of patience for this person?
It is hard to develop patience with others without first caring for and being patient with yourself. Give yourself a few extra minutes to wake up in the morning, increase your meditation practice by a few more breaths each day, or make a strong effort to attend that extra yoga class each week. Check in with your thoughts. Are you being kind to yourself? Are you being patient with who you are and what you’re up to? Deepen your breath and bring the focus back to a positive space of love and compassion.
December Challenge:
Create a mantra. It can be as simple as “I am love” or “I am compassion”. During moments when you notice yourself becoming impatient bring your focus to your mantra. Breathe through the nose, and begin to deepen and lengthen out the breaths. Repeat the mantra quietly out loud or internally to yourself. Give yourself the time and space to shift your perspective and thoughts. Be gentle. Be kind.
"We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far." - Swami Vivekananda
Musical Inspiration (all on Spotify):
I Will - Mozella
#34 - Dave Matthews Band
Youth - Daughter
As you make your way through your day begin to notice when you become impatient or when you are being patient. It’s interesting to notice the things that bother us and the things that we allow to breeze on by. For some people waiting for the train can be a huge test of patience, or standing in line at a store. For others, it’s no big deal, what is at the root that causes the difference in attitude? Sometimes the anticipation of an event or activity is what causes impatience. Acknowledge why you may be feeling the way you do, and without making yourself wrong, honor that space by allowing the feeling to pass through your mind and body.
This month there will be lots of holiday parties that create opportunities to practice being patient with yourself and others. For example, perhaps you are someone who is always on time, but your friend is always late. While you wait for your friend notice your thought pattern, do your best not to get attached to the anger associated with the most likely thoughts, and instead observe and perhaps bring the focus to how to have a conversation with your friend in a way that works without attitude or making them wrong. Can you create a space of patience for this person?
It is hard to develop patience with others without first caring for and being patient with yourself. Give yourself a few extra minutes to wake up in the morning, increase your meditation practice by a few more breaths each day, or make a strong effort to attend that extra yoga class each week. Check in with your thoughts. Are you being kind to yourself? Are you being patient with who you are and what you’re up to? Deepen your breath and bring the focus back to a positive space of love and compassion.
December Challenge:
Create a mantra. It can be as simple as “I am love” or “I am compassion”. During moments when you notice yourself becoming impatient bring your focus to your mantra. Breathe through the nose, and begin to deepen and lengthen out the breaths. Repeat the mantra quietly out loud or internally to yourself. Give yourself the time and space to shift your perspective and thoughts. Be gentle. Be kind.
"We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far." - Swami Vivekananda
Musical Inspiration (all on Spotify):
I Will - Mozella
#34 - Dave Matthews Band
Youth - Daughter