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Hi friends! Today I’m super excited to share with you all a new series I’m going to start called, “Pursuit of a Better Me”. Each week I am going to select a word that I feel will help me become a better wife, friend, daughter, sister and woman of Christ. I will study that word to understand it’s true meaning and reflect on it all week long. I will learn how I can implement things in my life to help me better achieve that word. I am honored to bring you guys along on this journey with me so we can encourage each other and grow together.
How to Be More Patient
To start off the series, I choose the word patience. Just being completely transparent here – I need a lot of help in this department. I have a very type A personality (read more about that here) and with that comes a lot of time urgency and impatience. I have always said one of my biggest pet peeves is waiting on someone (and yet I make people wait on me all the time… oops!). I truly get anxious when I want to be somewhere and have to wait on someone else. I come by it naturally though, my dad is the exact same way. I think it stems from a fear of being late. But even if I’m not on a time crunch, I still find myself getting anxious if I’m waiting around on people when I know I have things that need to get done. So why is that?
Let’s step back for a minute and analyze the word. Patience is the quality of waiting calmly without complaining. But most people associate patience and waiting as the same thing, when in reality, it’s not. Of course, waiting is a part of patience, but that’s only one element. I’m sure you’ve heard the quote “good things come to those who wait”. Well, I’m sorry but I completely disagree with that. Good things come to those that work their booty off. Patient people are the white knights who know that the pain they are going through is temporary and the only way to get rid of the pain you are experiencing is to do something.
Having patience means being able to wait calmly in the face of frustration or adversity, so anywhere there is frustration or adversity (nearly everywhere) we have the opportunity to practice it.
So I started brainstorming times where I feel most impatient. Waiting in traffic, long lines at the grocery store, when I’ve had a long day and my husband comes home and just wants to vent about his. I will be the first to admit, these are all scenarios I’ve been in where I feel frustrated, exhausted and annoyed. But what I’ve learned about patience is that your attitude can completely turn a situation around. Yes, you’re stuck in traffic which sucks, but at least you have a car to drive and eyes to help you see. Yes, there are long lines at the grocery store and I’m sure you’re exhausted from work and may have screaming children hanging off your cart, but at least you’re able to afford a meal for your family. And when it comes to being patient with your spouse, this is the most important. We are all imperfect people, so if your husband comes home from work and walks right past the pile of clothes you just folded and lays on the couch to watch football, be patient with him. If he does something that you’ve already asked him 100 times not to do, be patient with him. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…” (Galatians 5:22)
So what can we do become more patient?
1. Reassess the situation
Say you’re meeting a friend for coffee and they’re running 15 minutes late. Instead of being frustrated and feeling disrespected for them not being on time, allow yourself this time to check emails, people-watch or just breathe. Patience is linked to self-control. Take control of your emotions and utilize this time in another positive way.
2. Practice mindfulness
If you feel yourself starting to get impatient, take a deep breath. Most of the time you’re making the situation seem a lot worse in your head than it really is.
3. Practice gratitude
Just like in the examples I gave you guys up above, turn a negative situation around and be grateful for what you currently have. You might have just broken up with your boyfriend and you feel as though you’ll never find anyone who loves you the same again. “Be patient” people tell you. Well, I know from experience that it’s not always as easy as people make it sound. But use that time to better yourself. Find out who you really are, what you truly want (and deserve) in a partner and enjoy where you are for the time being. Be grateful for the experiences you shared and the lessons you learned. I promise that God has bigger things in store for you that you cannot even fathom. Just enjoy the ride.
Patience can make the difference between annoyance and calmness, between worry and tranquility. It is essential to daily-life, and might just be the key to a happy one. I hope you guys can keep this word on your heart this week and practice patience a little more than normal.
Photography by Kate Elizabeth Photography
*This how to be more patient post was created in collaboration with Vici Collection. All opinions & product selections are my own.
SHOP MY LOOK:
Christina says
You should name it “Purse-Suit of a Better Me”, showing your fashion sense, feminism, and conservative side as a woman approaching marriage. ??
Cindy Solgere says
I loved this post. Everyone needs a little help with this. If you want to learn to be more patient or tolerant, just become a teacher or have a bunch of kids. It worked for me.
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