Patience: A Personal Journey

Patience is the ability to wait, to continue persevering despite difficulties, and to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed. As much as I strive to be patient, it remains a significant challenge on many levels.

Growing up as the first-born female in a first-generation household, my parents had high expectations for me to complete tasks quickly and accurately. This pressure to perform perfectly has followed me into adulthood, and I am actively working on not projecting these expectations onto others.

In my traditional upbringing, I often felt unheard and undervalued. My opinions were not sought, and my desires were rarely considered. Over the years, I have learned to voice my opinions and stand up for myself. However, my mother’s advice to “think twice before speaking” resonates deeply with me. I can follow this advice when I have the time and patience, but in moments of stress or urgency, I tend to forget.

Maya Angelou once said, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This quote rings true in my daily life. Balancing my emotions with getting things done is a constant struggle. My goal is to improve and make others feel valued while being compassionately candid.

Being patient is not easy, but it is a journey worth taking. The first step is to look within and be patient with yourself. Only then can you extend that patience to others. I hope by sharing my experiences, others will find solace in knowing that patience is a work in progress and that it begins with self-compassion.

How do you become more patient? What are your tips? Please share your experiences and tips in the comments below. Let's learn from each other and grow together on this journey towards greater patience.