The Season of Patience

Patience Starts Within

When I saw Patience assigned to this week, I couldn’t help but smile. As Christmas approaches, the traffic increases, lines grow longer; packages arrive later, the Christmas lights burn out faster, etc. It seems like opportunities to be patient surround us.  

Finding the Still Point of Grace

Recognizing these opportunities to cultivate patience is the first step to living it more fully this season. However, let me take it one step further. Yes, we need to be patient in each of these situations, but most especially, you (we) need to be patient with ourselves.

Often, our lack of patience is connected to our own expectations. For example:

“I have to get this person the best gift!”

“What will people think when they see my Christmas decorations?”

“If I don’t get the gift on time, they will be upset.”

All of us have these narratives running through our minds, which impact how we react when the unexpected happens.

Therefore, I suggest that before you run yourself ragged, intentionally develop a plan to take care of yourself and lower expectations. You could check out our meditations on the “Still Point of Grace” on Openlight Media Plus or on the Hallow App.

If you can intentionally find a way to live from a Still Point of Grace, your ability to live patiently will increase.  

The Gift of a Smile

Finally, I recommend one simple way to spread the joy of the season to everyone.

Recently, I visited a kindergarten class in Southern California. They were beautiful children with pure hearts and eager to answer my questions. When I asked about the meaning of Christmas, one student immediately said, “You get presents.” Of course, I affirmed his answer but proceeded to tell the whole class a way they could give and get presents for free all the time. I told them they gave me the present as soon as I walked in the door, which made me very happy. The gift is a smile–simple, yet worth more than any gift because it comes from the heart. Of course, in their simplicity, they smiled back at me.  

Living the Spirit of Christmas

As we all live in anticipation of Christmas, may we strive to patiently remain in a Still Point of Grace and offer to loved ones, friends, and strangers a smile that genuinely comes from the heart.