This post is part of a series of posts where we are looking at the 7 Attitudes of Mindfulness as outlined HERE. Last week we looked at The Attitude of Non-Judging. Today we are looking at:
The Attitude of Patience
The attitude of patience simply suggests that we understand and accept the fact that sometimes things must unfold in their own time. It’s an alternative to the mind’s restlessness and impatience. Mindfulness asks that you cultivate patience towards your own mind. It’s about not letting our desire for particular results or our need to rush in order to get to the next thing we want to do or place we want to be dictate or overshadow the quality of the present moment. Whatever you experience in the moment is your reality and if you are open to each moment, accepting it fully as it is, without trying to speed up the process, then you are being mindful.
Take a look at that fern frond in the image above. If we were to be impatient for it to unfurl and decided to help it along, what would happen? We would break the plant! All that new growth and potential would be ruined. Now you see why sometimes we need to accept that things must unfold in their own time.
Let’s listen to Jon Kabat-Zinn explain the attitude of patience. He has such a wonderful way with words!
Next time we will look at The Attitude of Beginner’s Mind, however it won’t be next week as I will be away on a little holiday (more on that in tomorrow’s post). Tune in on Monday 22 December for Mindful Monday: The Attitude of Beginner’s Mind.
Ciao for now,
Linking up with One Mother Hen’s Open Slather
16 Comments
Let me tell you, I am without patience today! Why is getting dressed for school sooooo hard?????
I think all us Mum’s have been there. I recall basically shuffling one of mine into the car hard half naked and having to dress him in the car when we got to the school. Various aspects of life can test our patience. There are so many different types of ‘patience’ – patience with what is going on (eg stuck at traffic lights), patience with our kids, patience with ourselves, patience with time (wanting to rush it or slow it down) and so on.
I’ve always been quite good with patience, but I know a lot of people who could do with learning it.
But are you patient with all aspects of it that there are? (eg with others, your own mind, time, events, etc) It’s always good to have a think about it. I know there are lots of aspects of patience I could improve on! 😉
We all need to practice our patience. Especially now amongst the Christmas crazy!!!
Yes – this is a particularly testing time of year on ‘patience’. That’s for sure! 😉
I really need to work on this one. I have patience for things like the fern you described (perfectly by the way!!) but I have zero patience or tolerance for situations caused by people and their stupidity.
It’s good that you’re aware of where you struggle with patience. None of us are perfect. We’re all works in progress. At least if you’re conscious of the area of patience that you struggle with, then you can start working on it 😉
Love this. patience is part of “trust” for me. Another example like your fern is the story of the butterfly. Someone seeing the struggle to get out of the cocoon cut it open to “help” but the butterfly could not fly as the struggle to get out is what allows the wings to finish forming and dry etc. even through struggle we need to trust the process and journey and that we will get where we need to go xxx
You’re fabulous Deb! You understand so well the intention and meaning behind this attitude of patience. I love that you have associated the word trust with patience. I can apply that to myself. I get impatient with my progress towards achieving my dreams. I put way too much pressure on myself. It’s part of being a perfectionist. I need to trust that things will happen when they are supposed to and ease off on that pressure I inflict on myself. Yes that butterfly example is a very good one. I think Jon Kabat-Zinn touches on that one in the video. I was quite proud of myself with using the fern example and was so pleased to have that photo to use which I took at the Mt Cootha Botanic gardens 🙂 xo
Lol now you know i did not watch the video or i would
Know that xxxx
Haha caught out! lol 😉 xo
This reminds me of the saying ‘Wishing your life away’. Every time I say, and say it often, “I can’t wait”, I am reminded of it too. Just have to let things take their course. Lord knows I am forever wishing time would slow down!
Yes we’ve all had ocassions I think where we realise that we’re wishing our lives away when in a rush to get to the next thing! LOL – yes and sometimes we want time to slow down. The best thing is to try and live in the moment and let things unfold as they’re supposed to 🙂
Hi Min, I’m not a very patient person although I’m trying to improve constantly in that area. I agree that being impatient for life to happen is just wishing our life away. I enjoyed the message in the video and Jon’s simple message about being present in the moment. Something we all need to strive for. Thanks for the #ZTT link up and have a great week. x
I’m not exactly the most patient person either Sue … but when I think about it I am very patient in some ways and not so patient in others. I always enjoy Jon’s videos. Not only is his voice soothing but his words are so wise and so enlightening! I’m enjoying revisiting these very much thanks to the #ZTT link-up! 🙂 xo