Patience: is a word we do not hear often enough these days...
And, I don't mean the foot tapping, waiting, impatient kind of patience 🤣 and not being too patient which = apathy, lethargy or disconnection...
I mean, the kind of patience that is practiced persistently with deliberate intention; care, kindness, humility, faith, trust, love...
I have learned a lot about patience in my 60 years on earth... and the last 3 years feel like I have been receiving my "doctorate" in patience... with still a long way to go!
What are the most obvious things about Patience to me?
Patience is:
#1 PRESENCE
When I am truly PATIENT, I am PRESENT.
There is no wondering about the past, no worrying about the future, there is NOW.
Being aware of what I am doing now in this moment. Or, being fully present with another, or with a group.
In this space of the present moment, I am able to pause, to be, to listen, to have the clarity and alignment with what is most true and meaningful.
This kind of presence gives way to patience, vs. jumping into the past or future and a series of unwanted behaviors.
#2 CONSISTENT
Sometimes I think that I am not very consistent... and I do struggle often with being consistent in many areas in my life!
Another perspective that I remind myself of is... what I am consistent about:
Love, kindness, generosity of spirit, sharing ideas, caring for myself, caring for others, practicing the flute consistently for 48 years, choosing a positive way of living, doing good work no matter what kind of work it is, trusting love will always be victorious, faith that we are all connected and part of The One...
Being consistent requires patience, to have a consistent life is a deliberate choices or series of choices. It is a belief that all is or will be well and consistently living this way, requires patience. Or else we would give up vs. be patient and carry on consistently...
#3 PRACTICED
These past few years I have learned so much about Patience, from my 90 year old dear Dad. He has dementia and can only live in the present. He just wants me to be present with him in this now moment, to be consistent in my love and care for him...
And then there is the PRACTICE of this! It does take practice...
My experience of true patience is that it takes A LOT of Practice. Geesh I am only touching the surface of what I imagine true patience is after 60 years...
And so much of this is just like my 48 years of practicing flute... I am still practicing, learning, growing as a flutist, musician, artist, person.... and this practice takes TIME... and GRIT too! :-)
Patience requires our presence, our consistency and our deliberate practice...
The Deliberate Practice of Patience can be so Freeing... Liberating....
What are some of the Gifts you have been given when you Practice Patience?
Heartfully,
~ Jennifer
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