The art of patience in a world built on demand

When did we all become in such a rush?

Our behaviours have altered and adapted as technology has increased. We don't have to do a lot to get something these days; food on demand, content on demand, knowledge on demand, dates on demand, shopping on demand.

Yes, in some ways this makes our life easier - but is ease truly what we need?

How have these developments impacted us as humans? How do these expectations translate from the online world into our real life connections?

Humans are complex beings and to thrive we need to extend patience to ourselves and those around us. Perhaps this is one of the greatest gifts we can give.

There seems to be an increasing resistance to waiting, to building, to creating. There is the saying 'good things come to those who wait' but as society becomes less patient there's an entitlement to get everything right now, and a growing reluctance to appreciate the journey of building something great.

Patience is limited when there's a desire for needs to be met as fast as possible.

Could it be that the growing avoidance of challenges and obstacles from which we can learn, is in fact the cause of humanity's misery? That this focus on getting what 'you' want as fast as possible, is now prioritised over values, craftsmanship and true connection with another?

So what can patience look like?

Patience with ourselves might look like:

Allowing yourself time to fully recover from an illness

Allowing yourself ample space to process emotions

Being able to sit with discomfort

Not rushing into decisions to ease your discomfort

Relieving pressure to have to know exactly where you are heading

Relieving pressure to have all areas of your life functioning at the same time

Patience with others might look like:

Allowing space for someone to process their emotions without forcing them to meet your needs

Having understanding and compassion for another's level of experience

Allowing someone to try without jumping in to show them how

Actively listening to someone from your heart so you can hear what is beyond words

Allowing someone to finish speaking before you respond or react to what has been shared

These skills are important with everyone but especially with the older generation.

Seniors may be slower to learn, slower to adapt to advances in technology; this does not mean we should disregard their needs or fail to extend our patience in supporting them and bridging the ever expanding connection gap.

When we can extend our patience to another we can allow them space to thrive and feel at ease. In a world that demands everything instantly, perhaps the most radical act is simply to slow down - for ourselves, and for each other.

‍