Patience

Have you heard the word “patience” before? I am so sure that a lot of us are conversant with the word. It is a wonder how easy it is to tell a person be patient and be really impatient in a situation that seems to anger you.
If any comes to me and say oh what do you understand by the word “patience”? I’d tell the person patience is the ability to act outside of whatever emotion you’re feeling.
According to the English dictionary, patience is the state of being patient and to be patient means to not lose one’s temper while waiting; being able to suffer or bear. Another word for patient in the English dictionary is composed which is a state of being calm.
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines patience as the capacity to endure what is difficult or disagreeable without complaining.
Sometimes we tend to find ourselves in situations that test our patience and what truly matters is our response, we might not be able to control the situation or circumstance we find ourselves in but we can determine what our response will be.
Most times we’ll be tempted to act out our current feelings or emotions when we find ourselves in situations but the ability to hold back and stay calm is a choice we can choose to make.
Patience is a characteristic of matured people, they don’t allow their emotions or feelings control them, they’ve learnt to put their emotions under control. Being patient isn’t a sign of weakness, it is a proof of strength.
Most of the broken relationships in the society are as a result of impatience.
Impatience is a proof that a person isn’t matured. A patient person sits and thinks about the consequences of his or her actions.
Patience births understanding, peace and unity. You would never understand if you are not willing to understand,whereas to understand, patience is required. When you truly understand a person or a people it is easy to live in peace and unity with them.
A great man said; “ Your life is a sum total of the decisions and choices you make”. The truth is that your decisions or choices have the ability to make or mar you. Your decisions and choices define you. A patient man is a man of wisdom, like ST. Augustine said; ‘patience is the companion of wisdom.’ Patience will really go a long way in building up a peaceful and better society and it starts with you and me. Make that choice to be in charge of your emotions.
A tip that has always helped is to walk out when you’re angry, that way you wouldn’t spill out the wrong words, take a deep breath in and out. Try to see things from the other person’s point of view and sit down to count the cost before making decisions and choices. Always remember that they define you.
Choose to be patient!
Choose to love!