The power of patience : slowing the rush is the key to more happiness

‘Sabbali’ is what they call patience in the West African native language, Bambara. Patience is a virtue unmatched with most other virtues. Patience is a test; it is a spiritual practice that allows your mind to grow. Frustration means mayhem, it means chaos of the mind; patience is peace, patience is calm.

Also read :  Reduce the Effects of Stress

When we talk about patience we do not mean that you should give-in or be quiet. Patience will often give you a mental picture of a person who is probably quiet, but that is mere facade. Men of power and strength have patience. Nelson Mandela had patience to spend 27 years in prison and then come out with open arms, ready to forgive his perpetrators. Only to love and be loved, such is the power of patience. He did not scream out or show his frustration, he waited for nearly three decades. Can you be a patient man, can you be a Nelson Mandela?

Most of us cannot, but citing the example of the great Nelson Mandela I just hoped to show you the true power of patience. Frustration just makes one confused so why that? Why get over worked and impatient when you can patiently wait for the light to shine bright? In Buddhism, patience is one of the six perfections that form the foundation in the quest for enlightenment. It is the act of enduring and waiting that can be a weapon to help one achieve the highest. In Islam too patience is one of the most valuable virtues of life. It says God is with those who are patient while suffering. All throughout the world, every religious scripture talks about patience being one of the greatest virtues; it is not just some Godly advice to achieve moksha. It is one of the bases of life that holds us strong and tall.

Also read  : The Aging Mind

Practicing patience will help you realise how easy and nice things can be. Watch Roger Federar in a game of lawn tennis. Have you seen him losing his mind? Did he ever show frustration after losing a point? No. He always waits patiently for his time to come and when it does come, he shines like a star. Today the term ‘have patience’ hints upon a boring idea, something that is passé. People like to be quick and in the habit of being the first one in the rat race have forgotten a formidable virtue.

Freidrich Nietzsche in Human, All Too Human had written “being able to wait is so hard that the greatest poets did not disdain to make the inability to wait the theme of their poetry." But are you man enough for this hard task? Nelson Mandela was, Mahatma Gandhi was, Annie Frank was.

Image source : Getty

Read more articles on Healthy Living

For more such stories, Download Onlymyhealth app