Tips for Finding Patience

When I was in New York City two summers ago visiting my mom, I picked up this book entitled The Power of Patience by M.J. Ryan - a nifty little anecdotal book on how to understand and find patience within ourselves. I guess you can say it's a self-help book for people like me, since I am not a patient person to begin with. This has been a learned skill for me all these years.

I had bought that book at a time when I was in my low (not exactly rock bottom, but low) and thought every book could provide me with answers. Not that I don't believe in self-help books, but a book can only supplement the personal journey.

After joining a spiritual workshop utilizing the late Yemima Avital method of Independent thinking, I realized that the answers were within myself and I had a lot of work to do on reconnecting the child with the adult inme. When I could put some of that baggage aside, it was easier to become my own person.

Finding patience is just a skill that writers need, it's a life long skill - (no amendments needed here for explanations.) A writer's journey is probably best waited on with patience, otherwise the trueness of a journey would be made ever that more meaningful.

Internet and email will always make a writer's search and communication quicker, faster, more efficient but it almost always passes a test of time. When we register the who and where and what of waiting for an answer, receiving feedback on a not so good piece and knowing when then to move on, we almost always need to find the patience to know the difference between learning from the experience and learning about ourselves.

In the last few months, I have entered a true test of patience that is over and swept by U.S and Israeli bureaucratic standings, help from friends about our impending move to the States, searching for job offers, which almost always pulled me into testing my own faith. I almost always end up thinking the worst possible extreme cases (i.e. my husband being rejected for an immigrant visa, to find that the tension was all in my mind)

I can only safely say that in the end, things do have their own way of working themselves out. Here are some of the things that have helped me through this not-so-easy period of time.

1. Try and see the bigger picture. Usually, the small act of waiting and thinking with anxiety puts us into one congealed moment. Realize that this is just one step to get to the final gal and there are many steps. Each step is actually a milestone.

2. Put your faith where your mouth is. While some things weren't meant to be, other things are. Don't ever loose sight of your faith.

3. Keep a small journal keeping touch with what's nagging you at the moment and why you feel you're loosing the grip, patience. This will help you keep in touch with your dreams. You'll find safety in your own words.

4. Having control is just something we just cannot control. The more I realize that the easier it is to deal with bureaucratic situations.

5. Nelson Mandela spent twenty seven years trying the test of patience in a South African jail. That says it all. He is the hero of patience.


Frankly, I have put my few self-help books aside until a later time of healing when I have found my own threshold.

What about you? Do you feel self-help books as a source of inspiration and help for your immediate daily needs? (like finding patience)