Being patient or tolerant is a practice. Daily we have the opportunity to practice either or both of these qualities. Some days we are better at it than others depending on what else is happening in our personal reality. Perhaps having compassion and empathy for what might be going on in an individual’s personal reality is the key to becoming patient and tolerant.

We often lose our patience when we are reacting to circumstances which appear outside of our control. Notice I said that circumstances appear outside of our control. Of course, the weather is outside of our control, disasters and accidents are outside of our control. The reaction of being impatient often reveals that there is something underneath waiting to brew up to be dealt with. Fear is usually the greatest cause of impatient behavior. Actually, fear is usually the greatest cause of intolerance as well.

We are fearful of the unknown. We find ourselves unable to tolerate someone whose beliefs are so different than our own. It scares us so we judge them. It scares us because we do not understand or relate to their reality. We become impatient because there are diverging points of view instead of embracing that difference and honoring another’s Sacred Point of View. It is their View and unless it is being inappropriately forced upon us, then Vive la Difference! Live and Let Live! Agree to disagree and go on being friends or amicable acquaintances.

Having awareness that each person’s thoughts, belief system, personal reality is different than the next, provides an avenue for compassion and understanding. Once we remember that their ‘come from’ place is not the same as ours, we can embrace that difference. But we must remember that constantly. We have not walked a mile in that person’s moccasins so we can not judge why they may act or feel the way they do! Being patient and tolerant is a practice that extends infinitely within our conscious lives. It even includes being patient and tolerant of those whom we perceive are not patient and tolerant. Yep, it’s the old saying, “when you point your finger at someone there are 3 pointing right back at you.” This saying can be an additional tool to help us be more patient and tolerant of others.

Let’s go back to things appearing outside of our control. Once again, let us remember that whatever we focus on is what we create. If we are interacting with many who are impatient or intolerant, then we must take the time to observe ourselves to find where we may judge others and have similar reactions in a different setting. Through this practice of self-observation and taking that deep look within, we may allow for more self-tolerance and patience as well as that tolerance and patience of others.

Regardless of how it manifests, stress in our lives can create havoc. This havoc will often play out in our reaction towards others. So, what can we do about shifting our stress, relieving it and going back to our true self, which is Love? Take the time to meditate, relax, contemplate, pray, eat healthy and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Yes, everyone of us has a true nature that is Love. The more we believe and act as if we are Love and everyone with whom we interact with is Love, then amazingly tolerance and patience becomes evident within our daily lives in all our interactions.

May we all remember that we are all human. May we honor that every day is an opportunity to Love more fully and therefore, become more aligned with tolerance and patience. May we develop our compassionate nature and be kind at all times.