It is no secret that patience is a virtue, and my life has been no exception. Patience has never been one of my strong suits. When we want something, we want it, right?

Well, life has a funny way of knowing better and combating the ego. We may think we know what we want, but that does not make it correct. And even though we may clench our teeth and get pissed that we are not getting “what we want,” life just smiles and turns out alright anyway, does it not? Funny how that works. And often times, it turns out better than we could have planned.

A common misconception that we have programmed in, is that patience is to compromise. This is not true. It helps build us, shape us into our next level. It teaches us to wait for what is meant to happen, instead of trying to force the hand. It is a way of preparing us for what is meant for us, which can be greater than we know and may take time to reach.

When it comes to force, we should aim to be like water. Powerful, yet gentle and persistent. With this approach, the World is changed. When we approach life with blunt force, she pushes right back and we create and carry this unnecessary weight and struggle upon us. Instead, we should find and embrace our flow state, where you are most at peace with the flow of life and therefore there is no real struggle, just an intimate tie between you and the moment. When you are there, patience is unnecessary because it is inevitable, intricately tied into each breath. You have no fear of what could, should or might happen- you are just you and are in the now. If you are in the now, what is there to be impatient about?

Impatience cannot be in the present, because it implies that you are waiting or looking forward to something, which therefore takes one out of the moment. I rather like and relate to the statement that if you are living in the past, you find depression. If you are living in the future, you find anxiety. If you are in the now, you find peace.

This does not mean that you will not have emotional responses while being present in the moment, of course, situations can call for such things. Yet, the vast majority of the time, if you truly step back into perspective and are in the moment, there is little to be depressed or anxious about.

As I shared earlier this week… 

Finding Patience

We often hear, and no doubt know the saying “patience is a virtue.” Why is that? Why is it something that we find so challenging? Is it because we want instant gratification? Are we scared that if we don’t get what we want now, we never will? Very likely so. But I encourage you to step back and observe yourself. Where in your life do you find it hard to practice patience? And then delve even deeper. Why do you find yourself being impatient there? In some circumstances, we will no doubt find that it’s a response of fear, versus an approach of love. And when we notice this, we are able to change how we react.
We can begin to not only know, but understand and practice that good things are worth waiting for, and there can be joy in the journey rather than racing for an outcome.
If you observe yourself and find you are reacting from a place of fear, that if you don’t have it now you never will, and therefore holding on and creating unnecessary stresses… maybe it’s time to let go of that attachment/idea. Embrace the “what if’s” and free yourself into a space of love and freedom to be open to what is for you.

And then there is the beautiful idea that good things are worth waiting for.

Have you ever delved into asking the question why?

Maybe it is not so much as to torture us, as it is to prepare us for them. Just because we want something does not always mean that we are ready for it. Sometimes we have to prepare ourselves to understand what it means to be able to have and nourish whatever it may be.

We may want that perfect relationship, but are we truly ready for it? Are we the version of ourselves that can not only nourish such a relationship but continue to grow ourselves and not get lost within it? There may be hard lessons to be learned before such things can be granted to us.

Even take the idea of a dog. Just wanting to have a dog is not enough to allow you to have said dog. You need to look at your life. Can you afford it financially? Can you give it the time, attention, discipline and love that it requires? Have you studied the breeds and understand what you are getting yourself into? Having a dog requires patience in many ways, and it will inevitably shape you into a better decision maker as well as a dog owner if you take the time to get there.

So, as with the dog, if you take the time to have patience with any situation, you may get a glimpse as to what is worth waiting for and how it can help you. Take your time to find your best path, to be your best self, and enjoy the hell out of it.

I will leave you with these lovely words,

Let It Go

Let go of the ways you thought life would unfold; the holding of plans
or dreams or expectations – Let it all go. Save your strength to swim with the tide. The choice to fight what is here before you now will only result in struggle, fear, and desperate attempts to flee from the very energy you long for. Let go.
Let it all go and flow with the grace that washes through your days whether you receive it gently or with all your quills raised to defend against invaders. Take this on faith; the mind may never find the explanations that it seeks, but you will move forward nonetheless. Let go, and the wave’s crest will carry you to unknown shores, beyond your wildest dreams or destinations. Let it all go and find the place of rest and peace, and certain transformation.

– Danna Faulds

I also want to thank you for having patience with my blog! Since my relocation to Colorado, things have been quite busy. I do plan to start writing more often, and if anyone would like to see a certain post (yoga video, pose explanations, etc.) please let me know! I love this community and am excited for what we can create together. 

Love & Light