Patience

Success and patience are related. Everyone needs patience for success and happiness.
Patience is defined as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.
Experiencing hardships tested and built my patience. It is the ultimate way for me to cope with scarcity and complicated life. My childhood life is a nightmare. There were times when I need to skip eating a meal. Our parents have no permanent jobs. Thus, we often experience food shortages.
It was an awful experience. What is more painful is witnessing people laughing and criticizing our misfortune. They should not react that way. Poverty is not a joke. It is their advantage to have a better life. Thus, they need to be grateful by showing respect and compassion for unfortunate people like us.
I am very thankful that God allowed me to cultivate maximum tolerance. This made me turn negativism into positivity. Everyone has a different fate or fortune. It is up to us to design and decorate our life. We just need to exercise patience to surpass struggles and battles. Patience is the key to success.
Ironically, many youngsters easily lose hope. I often witness conferences among students and teachers in our supervisory office. Some students are about to drop from school due to habitual absences. They lack the patience to attend their classes regularly and accomplish their outputs or requirements. Some no longer endure family financial constraints. They preferred to work and help their parents earn money.
This scenario brings pain to my heart. The only thing I can do is to advise and encourage them. They must stay strong and patient. Adversities and apathies should not destroy their dreams and aspirations. They need to pursue higher education. The great philosopher Plato said, “The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future in life”
Students must enhance their patience. The study of Fuller Theological Seminary professor Sarah A. Schnitker, et al revealed that patience helps students get things done. It further discussed that patient people exerted more effort and made more progress toward their goals compared with less patient people.
The school is one of the best avenues for the enhancement of values and virtues. Thus, school administrators and teachers need to impart the importance of patience. They must be the model and promoter of patience. Their tolerance in managing the challenges they encounter counts in the attainment of the school’s mission and vision.
My 10 years of experience as a classroom teacher also enhanced my patience. In teaching, maximum tolerance is a necessity. You cannot become an effective and efficient teacher without patience. Aside from dealing with naughty and stubborn students, there are paper works to accomplish. Some co-workers are also inconsiderate. Thus, you need to remain patient. Patience is a manifestation of commitment and dedication.
A research thesis by Emma C. Morris on 172 children from Brazil and Malaysia discovered that teachers who express more patience to their learners could lead their better understanding and be more efficient at what they learn.
During critical situations, some individuals lose their faith and patience. As a result, their mental and physical health is threatened.
Department of Health estimated that at least 3.6 million Filipinos are facing mental health issues during the pandemic. Poverty and boredom are identified reasons for poor mental health. The concerned individuals lack the patience to bear hardships and anxieties.
It is therefore advisable for us to be patient amidst adversities. The study of Aghababaei N. et al on Iranian students proved that patience, especially long-term, is a predictor of mental wellness, particularly for those who scored high on the depression scale.
Our relationships with our families, relatives, friends, neighbors, and co-workers are not always harmonious. There are times we argue and hurt each others feelings. However, our patience will always lead us to harmony.
Patience must be considered a basic and powerful element to make our life significant and comfortable. According to recent studies and research, patience is beneficial to enjoy better mental and physical health, strengthen our relationship with fellows, and help us achieve our goals.
Let us be patient at all times. If you feel that the world seems to be hopeless and friendless, pause, and reflect. Remember, there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.