Are You Passively Patient or Actively Patient?
Patience is a virtue often celebrated, but it’s important to recognise that not all patience is a virtue. There are two distinct instances of patience — passive and active — and they differ as much as day and night. The former is patience without merit, while the latter is patience worth pursuing. Let’s explore the difference between these two forms of patience and why actively patient individuals have the advantage.
The dictionary definition of patience is “the capacity to accept or tolerate delays, problems, and suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.” Passively patient individuals possess the ability to accept and tolerate these challenges without seeking a way out or envisioning the light at the end of the tunnel. They resign themselves to their circumstances, lacking the motivation to take action. In contrast, actively patient individuals endure delays, problems, and suffering but seek solutions to their predicaments.
To better understand these instances, let’s consider two graduates who have recently completed their studies at the same institution. Both possess ambition and a hunger for success, but they differ psychologically. Graduate 1 represents passive patience — he waits for the opportune moment without taking action. Although he applies for jobs and continues studying, he fails to follow up or test his patience. Instead, he passively accepts his situation and waits eternally.
What’s wrong with this type of patience? While patience is generally regarded as a virtue, passive patience lacks virtue in reality. It involves blindly accepting one’s position in life. However, life is not a constant; it fluctuates, presenting ups and downs, and demands adaptability. Passively accepting life’s challenges is not a virtue but a resignation to fate.
On the other hand, Graduate 2 exemplifies active patience. He endures delays, suffering, and problems without succumbing to depression or anxiety. Active patience involves enduring these challenges while actively seeking ways to address them. This graduate works diligently to improve his chances in life, taking proactive steps to tackle problems and alleviate suffering.
Consider this scenario: both graduates apply for jobs but fail to secure one. The passively patient graduate accepts this outcome as fate, whereas the actively patient graduate views it as an opportunity for growth. The active patient seeks answers as to why he didn’t succeed. Did he need to improve his interview skills or application? By actively seeking feedback and solutions, he benefits from the virtue of patience.
Patience without action holds no merit. In life, it’s crucial to be patient, endure hardships, and still actively seek ways to improve one’s circumstances. Rather than accepting life as a predetermined fate, actively patient individuals recognise that they can actively change their conditions. They refuse to settle for less and actively work towards bettering their lives.
When combined with proactive efforts, patience becomes a virtue that leads to personal growth and progress. So, choose to be actively patient and seize life’s opportunities. Don’t sit passively.
