What’s fascinating about patience in love is that when we accept one another as we are, we actually increase the possibility of change. That’s because our partner’s patience produces a safe haven where we are accepted, warts and all, and in the warmth of that acceptance we may actually feel safe enough to risk growing. Thus, our partner may even en

life will turn out exactly as we want it. Businesses and relationships fail; the stock market goes down as well as up. Ultimately our faith asks us to believe that even if it doesn’t turn out the way we wanted, it still is for the best—we

When we are experiencing impatience, we tend to concretize current reality: it’s like this and it’s going to be this way forever. I’m going to be in this job forever; I’m going to be changing diapers forever; I’m going to be struggling financially forever; I’m going to be alone forever; I’m going to be in this bed sick forever. If we’re in an uncom

The beauty of the decision for patience is that it doesn’t matter how impatient we consider ourselves to be. We will always have another opportunity to choose! In whatever circumstance we find ourselves right now, we are free to choose peaceableness. Each and every day, moment by moment, the decision is yours.

Through this acceptance of others as they are, and of life as it is showing up right now, we prove our true strength and beauty as human beings. It’s easy to be accepting when all is well. But when we are patient when things aren’t going the way we want, we truly shine as heroes.

When we believe in a happy future, we can wait more calmly now. This takes faith—in ourselves, our partners, our God, the benevolence of the universe—because we have no guarantee one way or another. We must live as if it will turn out, without knowing precisely how it will end up. And that is not always easy, particularly when there’s a lot at stak

“When you are angry, you’re carrying the burden while the other person is out dancing.” The more we cultivate patience, the less anger we carry and the more dancing we’ll feel like doing.

Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you, but not in the one ahead.

The most important thing to know is that patience is something you do, not something you have or don’t have.