How to Have Patience & Humility

You can accomplish more with patience and humility than without it.

The traits of patience and humility are hallmarks of a peaceful and happy life. Patience allows you to exercise empathy and compassion; humility helps you recognize your place in the rhythm of life. The traits are often attributed to religious and/or spiritual influence, but can be achieved regardless of your beliefs about a higher power. Remember that what happens within is reflected outward; directing patience and humility towards yourself will help you direct it towards others.

Instructions

1. See others as yourself. Know that we are connected by the breath of life. Realize that other people, no matter how rude, angry, sad, disrespectful or mean, were once innocent children. They have been shaped by their experience. Say to yourself, "There but for the grace of God go I." Try to always view things from another person's perspective.

2. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Remember that this is not the motto of the world; know that most people will not treat you the way they would like to be treated. Do it anyway. Return anger with kindness, despair with hope and frustration with patience. If someone yells at you, speak even softer. Understand that your words and actions arise within you; however you speak to or act towards someone will first impact you. If you act in anger, you will feel anger. If you act in peace, you will feel peace.

3. Smile. Smile at yourself in the mirror, smile at strangers on the street. Smile when you answer the phone. Your attitude will improve. Your ability to forgive will improve. You will feel calmer and less rushed.

4. Observe nature. See how the sun hangs in perfect proximity to the earth; observe how the earth doesn't fall off its axis. Watch how the seasons blend perfectly into one another, and how the circle of life continues despite the interference of man. Realize that your heart beats without any effort on your part, and your breath flows in and out on its own. Appreciate the miracle of creation. Realize that you and everyone else were created by the same source that created the cosmos. Allow yourself to live in awe of life, like a small child.

5. Practice. Patience and humility are learned responses, not natural reactions. Practice makes perfect. Do little things to fight your impatient impulses. Stand at the longest line in the grocery store. Drive in traffic without going around the slower cars. Park in the farthest corner of the parking lot. Train your mind and body to delay immediate gratification. Enjoy the process; let the means be the ends in themselves.

References

• A Spoken Silence: Practical Tips on Patience and Humility
• Macro Sizzard: Become Positive Self