Learning about your impatience

Photo by Jan Baborák

Recently I have noticed that people seem more aware and are paying more attention to their surroundings. Due to our global pandemic, we have trained ourselves to do our best to keep a distance between each other and create more physical separation when we are outside. Holding a range requires that we pay more attention to others. It also requires observing How others move and where they are going.

Where I live, there are more cyclists, runners, walkers, and dogs outside more than ever. When you drive, you have to pay more attention to pedestrians and cyclists for everybody’s safety.

As I was reflecting on this apparent external patience in people, I began to wander. What is going inside their minds as they wait and allow pedestrians to go ahead or slow down for cyclists? Are they calm inside, or are they listening to an inner voice telling them to rush?

Patience is not the ability to wait, but how we act while we wait. In the last four months, we have been dealing with new rules and limiting restrictions that reduce our social interactions and our ability to go outside. There is no need to rush to work, school, or for appointments as most things are happening form home or canceled.

But how are we feeling inside? Are we still feeling like we need to rush?

Observe your impatience

Today I want to invite you to look are your impatience. During your day notice when you feel impatient.

Look at your body

Become aware of the body sensations that arise. Observe if you feel tight on shoulders, Tapp your finger, make a fist, body temperature changes, jaw clenching, or any other impatience signal.

If you notice tension, agitation, fast breathing, jitters, jiggling legs, or tapping fingers, swearing or insulting, take a pause.

Breathe and let go

Take some full deep breathes. Release the tension in the body, relax your shoulders, jaw, arms, and legs. You can repeat the world calm until you feel that you have calmed down.

Find the fear

Impatience is a form of anger. Underneath is a sign that we are resisting what is happening in front of us. And that you are fearful about something. You can also name the fear to help you dissolve the anger. You can ask yourself: What is the fear that is triggering my impatience?

When you behave impatiently, you are triggering your nervous system, and doing this long term can promote anxiety and illness.

By paying attention to your impatience and letting it go, you will begin to rebuild your nervous system into a calmer state. Rushing and resisting what is happening only builds stress and doesn’t help you or the ones around you.

Take time today to explore your impatience. Stop impatience from overtaking your life. When you feel impatient, connect to the present moment and calm down. Use your body and your breath and find your deep fears. Liberate your self from rushing and building turmoil inside. Commit to a life of more inner peace and calm.

One quote

Have patience with all things, But, first of all with yourself.

Saint Francis De Sales

One question

Are you willing to pay attention to your impatience?

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