The Virtue of Patience in Stoic Philosophy
Man must be arched and buttressed from within, else the temple wavers to the dust. – Marcus Aurelius
So just to frame this article with a tiny bit of exposition for those who do not know me particularly well, I have always loved to take risks. The path less taken has been one that knows my Hoka Mach 5s particularly well. This has brought several fantastic opportunities into my life, along with its fair share of challenges. Yet what has always tided me over in such times has been patience. It is upon patience that all of our Stoic practice is predicated and I hope to share a thing or two that might help you in such situations.
Patience through Stoicism
The virtue of patience has been a core tenet of Stoicism dating back to its foundation, one practiced by each of its adherents right up until the modern day. However, in this fast-paced world in which we expect instant results and gratification, it has become more vital than ever. This ties us into the locus of control once more, I know you are all probably sick to the teeth of me talking about this but without it, much of Stoicism falls flat.
So to give some context, my current situation is such that I am waiting on some pretty important news. Much of this stems from having taken a risk which many advised against. However, I have always taken heart that I would rather take such a risk than to have never tried at all. Even if I fall flat on my face in the process.
I have been waiting since Thursday afternoon and will hopefully hear Monday morning. This firmly lies outside my control, and for better or worse I have already engaged in everything that lies within my control. This brings us back to Viktor Frankl,
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor Frankl
I cannot bring the time in which I receive the news forward and I cannot dictate when I will hear from the individuals in question on Monday. So I could let worry and anxiety dictate my thoughts for the weekend. Ruining my experience of the time I have and could spend more productively or enjoyably. As opposed to worrying endlessly as to an outcome I have no control over.
This is one of the toughest situations we can find ourselves in. Wherein we can do little to affect our future or to bring up the time in which the experience we now dread lies firmly in the rearview mirror. Therefore we have no other choice but to challenge our perception.
In so doing we can regain the impetus sapped by waiting on others. Our focus should lie on ensuring enjoyment of our present unaffected by what may or may not come our way. There is plenty we can do in the here and now which will be of benefit to us not only in the short term but also in the long run.
So why allow a mere possibility to take this from us, do what you can where you are and with what you have you won’t regret it.
The Storms of Life
I have always been regarded as a very calm person, even before my practice of Stoicism. However, there are instances in which my nerves, my stress, or whatever else I was handling at the time got the better of me. This does not mean I am not a Stoic or that I am not a calm level headed individual. One action or inaction does not define us. I may have done all of these things but these things are not all of me.
There will by the very nature of human existence times when your sense of equanimity is challenged and you are found lacking. However what Stoicism preaches is that each time we fail or fall, we rise again stronger for our misstep.
So do not be harsh on yourself, throwing your hands up to the heavens believing that the events are too difficult for you to manage. Patience is practiced and developed like any muscle in the gym. Whether this is in periods in which stress is at a minimum or the times in which we are left with no other option but to be patient.
Life is what we make of it and the only way to ensure we live each moment correctly is by learning to differentiate between what we can and cannot control. Then in the times in which all that lies before us is that which cannot be controlled, we practice patience. Patience not only with the given situation but also with ourselves.
We will lose our patience, allow stress and anxiety to control us, or simply waste a weekend away focusing on news that was to come the following week. Yet whether we want it to or not the future always comes.
The event or news we so dread will eventually be right upon our doorstep and we will face it all the same irrespective of what comes our way!
