“He that can have Patience, can have what he will” - Benjamin Franklin

They say Patience is a virtue seldom found in women never in men. This may or may not be true; but it fair to say that there is nobody on earth who couldn’t benefit from more patience. Patience is our cheerful acceptance of life. Patience allows us to turn failure into success. Patience avoids needless worry and anxiety and in place brings peace of mind.

Benefits of Patience

Patience is necessary for Success. It is said that “all good things come to those who wait” If we wish to achieve anything of significance, we cannot expect to achieve it overnight. For example many of our great scientists have remarked how their scientific discoveries came only through patient perseverance. Einstein said Genius was 99% perspiration and only 1% inspiration. To achieve anything great in life we have to develop patience.

"If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention, than to any other talent." -- Sir Isaac Newton

Patience teaches us to value the effort and not just the success. It is a mistake to think that happiness can only be attained through certain achievements. To get the most from life, we should value the preparation and effort, as much as the success or failure that may result. Patience means we learn to develop equanimity and to not be influenced by the ups and downs of life.

Patience brings peace of mind. When we desire certain outcomes, then we will have no peace of mind. Even if one desire is filled, the nature of desire is that more will appear in its place. There is no end to human desire. Patience means that we can work with out expecting a certain outcome. Patience means we will work with an attitude of detachment. It is this detachment that brings peace of mind.

“Patience is not inertia. … Patience has the steady movement of growth and is always accompanied by peace. This peace can never be mistaken for inertia which is always accompanied by restlessness.” - Sri Chinmoy (1)

Patience enables us to develop faith; this is a faith in ourselves. If we judge ourselves only by our results and success then we do not have faith in our inner self. Our real self seeks to quietly do the right thing and not worry about the result.

Patience can transform suffering into joy. Throughout life we suffer injustice and suffering, the Best healer is time and patience. Through being patient and accepting of our situation, it is quite possible for our suffering to be transformed.

“If failure has the strength to turn your life into bitterness itself, then patience has the strength to turn your life into the sweetest joy..” - Sri Chinmoy (2)

References

(1) Excerpt from Union-Vision by Sri Chinmoy.

(2) Excerpt from Songs Of The Soul by Sri Chinmoy.