Patience

     

     Everyone assumes  that patience is a virtue, and the more we have, the better.  Having too much patience, however, can be detrimental to emotional and physical health, to personal relationships, and to group dynamics.  Patience can turn into passivity and procrastination while we avoid conflict and problem solving.  Some even believe that patience should be our goal and that whatever is supposed to happen will happen.  When holding our tongue to avoid hurting other people's feelings, we may even get a sense of accomplishment and pride in being self sacrificial.
     Not having enough patience can also cause problems.  When a situation is beyond our control, we  must face reality and adjust our emotions accordingly.   When a situation can be improved by increasing our patience, we get extra time to analyze the problem and plan the best solution.
     Some people seem to have an easier time being patient, perhaps being born with that disposition, or modeling themselves after others who showed patience, or being taught that impatience was not a desirable characteristic.   Other people may have a harder time controlling emotions and impulses and have more difficulty adjusting to frustration and change.
     As we face the difficulties of aging and our bodies and minds are not functioning the way they used to, we need to adjust to new situations.  We also need to adjust as our spouse or other family members begin to age, sometimes facing physical and mental challenges.  We can't see, hear, or move the way we used to.  Sometimes we can't remember or think the way we did in younger years.  Now more than ever, we need to be patient with our loved ones and ourselves.