I\u2019ve come to terms with the fact that to strengthen my spiritual and mental health, I have to practice patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People\u2019s strengths and weaknesses vary. We are all unique, so it makes sense that while I\u2019ve watched some people struggle with patience, others practice it with ease. As I try to learn how to be more patient, I turn to the people around me for insight and guidance. Sometimes I learn from the mistakes they tell me about, or from the way that I see them struggle. Other times I am inspired by the way they move through the world without impatience or force. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But while these examples are helpful, when it comes to practicing patience with myself, I find it most useful to read spiritual guidance. I have sought this spiritual guidance in divine scriptures, like this potent Baha\u2019i<\/a> passage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Were it not for calamity, how would the sun of Thy patience shine, O Light of the worlds? Lament not because of the wicked. Thou wert created to bear and endure, O Patience of the worlds. – Baha\u2019u\u2019llah<\/a>, Baha\u2019i Prayers<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n A common saying in mental health spaces states that \u201chealing is not linear\u201d. One of the most obvious forms of emotional healing<\/a> is the way we process a catastrophic event, such as the loss of a loved one. In my social work graduate program, we learned about the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. But while we might like to imagine that when something grievous occurs, people move through the stages one by one, the fact is that these phases can mesh together. Often, we loop back to stages we already passed through before. Grief can be complex, and it is not a linear process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The process of grief requires patience. Most will find themselves sorely disappointed if every time they face a challenge they assume that they\u2019ll glide through the process. The Baha\u2019i writings suggest that we have to continually reorient our minds towards a divine source when processing something difficult:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rely upon God. Trust in Him. Praise Him, and call Him continually to mind. He verily turneth trouble into ease, and sorrow into solace, and toil into utter peace. He verily hath dominion over all things. – Abdu\u2019l-Baha<\/a>, Selections from the Writings of Abdu\u2019l-Baha<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n In my own experience, keeping God in mind is necessary in my process to cultivate a stronger sense of patience. When I am frustrated with myself or other people in my life I try to remember that we were all created by God. When I feel upset or confused about different seemingly desirable opportunities passing me by, I try to remember there is a greater purpose that God understands. When that line of reasoning doesn\u2019t calm my anxiety, I often try to remind myself that no matter what my life circumstances- there are always ways I can find to worship God and grow spiritually. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even when I\u2019m not grieving something, I\u2019ve learned that I have to be patient in my efforts to develop new habits. Once I\u2019ve recognized a pattern that gets in the way of my functioning, I want to change, but awareness of the issue does not naturally result in the change I hope for. Even putting in effort to change doesn\u2019t necessarily guarantee that I will be successful, which requires that I be patient and forgiving of myself throughout the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to practicing patience by not hurrying, patience also means persisting in putting forth energy. It isn\u2019t a passive virtue, but rather an active one. It\u2019s tied closely to persistence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Baha\u2019i writings tell us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Healing Is Not Linear<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Patience Through Spiritual Guidance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Remembering to Forgive<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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