As summer arrives, many of us will spend more time out of doors enjoying our gardens and all that nature gives us.  In thinking about the beauty of nature, I’m reminded of this Emerson quotation, which is one my favorites.

Patience is virtuous and most of us wish we had more, don’t we?  So often in life we lose patience with others.  Lack or loss of patience, is operating under one’s own agenda and not affording the other person the courtesy or love that would give them the necessary things they may need.  In other words we are not giving them loving allowance.

Patience, in its best light, is affording the other person to be, in their own time, place, or space, and to be accepting of that.

During illness, impatience can easily appear for all involved — the patient, caretaker, observer — as the stresses of the situation build.  If you are able to put into action and proper perspective the needs of another you may discover that impatience will fade away.

Another aspect of patience is patience with self. Often, we are impatient with self by not loving ourselves enough to meet our own needs and to allow new experiences.  When we have needs and desires and set them aside and deny our authentic self, we are not happy, and may become angry, resentful, and stressed out. Anxiety builds and that is not healthy.

In both areas of patience we have to learn to be allowing, to give others their space — and to grant that same to ourselves.

© Copyright by Linda Pendleton. All rights reserved.