When I was newly sober I was incredibly impatient and intolerant of others -- especially my wife.
I got hugely annoyed when she paused in her speech to find the right word . . .
We're talking about waiting a coupla seconds here.
I was told that these annoyances, if allowed to fester and grow, can lead to the sort of resentments that can lead us back to using alcohol as a solution.
Learning patience takes time and practice.
I had to learn, in a practical way, that people did not perform and events did not occur in my time.
Others have there own agenda.
I had trouble accepting this and letting go of unrealistic expectations.
One of the definitions of patience is:
"an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay." -Random House
I needed the willingness first.
Then I had to gain the ability.
Practice and repetition,
Practice and repetition:
boring, I know, but well worth the effort for the peace of mind that patience allows.
Not to sound too full of myself: I still have to consciously make an effort to wait patiently for my wife to come up with a word.
Then she may not even finish the sentence.
"What are you trying to say, Dear?"