Put on your patience pants

Does anyone else have trouble with being patient? Yeah. I figured I’m not alone.

What’s funny is that a lot of us lose our patience with the smallest things. When the big problems in life strike or hurtle toward us, we somehow find our strength and patience to deal with them. Well, most of the time.

Last week my son Jacob shared something funny – but surprisingly effective – that his girlfriend Alyssa often says: “Just put on your patience pants.” I instantly loved it and vowed to start using this saying to help me deal with life’s struggles.

Of course, God loves to check in with us to see just how serious we are on these types of vows.

Two days later, I had to borrow Jacob’s car to run to the grocery stores. He was leaving town in less than an hour, so I had to be quick. I was feeling quite victorious after getting in and out of Aldi in 25 minutes and finishing my Walmart pick up in less than 10 minutes.

“I’ll be home earlier than expected!” I thought.

But then I approached the intersection of Greenfield Avenue and 16th Street … and got stuck in a line of cars at the light due to road construction. The men in their neon green vests were holding up the familiar orange signs. I just about let my head smack into my steering wheel in frustration.

“You have GOT to be kidding me … I can’t believe this … and what in the heck are they working on over here anyway?” I thought furiously.

Suddenly, I remembered the patience pants. And I felt ashamed of myself.

Those men were working to improve something in my own neighborhood (I still don’t know what, but it’ll be something.) They were out in the cold just doing their jobs.

And hadn’t I just said to myself that I would be home earlier than expected? Jacob didn’t have to leave for another 15 minutes. This frustrating incident was something small in my life. Was it worth getting in a twist?

“Amy … put on your patience pants,” I said aloud. I took a deep breath, turned up the radio to enjoy a good song, and glimpsed at the clock.

“I bet I’ll be home in less than 10 minutes,” I thought. Sure enough, five minutes later, I was through the intersection and was still home earlier than planned.

I’ve been working to put on my patience pants more often since this incident. I just close my eyes and imagine putting on my favorite pair of jeans that make me relax and feel good. It’s put a smile on my face and helped me feel more serene when life takes an unexpected turn … heck, doesn’t it do this to us every day? Multiple times?

Thank you, Alyssa, for yet another tool in my arsenal for how to deal with worry and stress. I hope my readers adopt this saying to make their own lives happier!

Amy Shankland is a writer and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John, two sons, two dogs, and a cat. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.