How to Cultivate Patience in Your Journey of Self-Improvement
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Chapter 1: The Essence of Progress
What if our perceptions of self-improvement contribute to our struggles? The ancient philosopher Heraclitus observed, “Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day.” This highlights that developing a strong character, along with other meaningful pursuits, requires sustained and patient effort.
In his renowned work, Letters to a Young Poet, Rainer Maria Rilke emphasized that time cannot be quantified in our creative endeavors:
“There is no measuring with time, not even a year matters, and ten years are nothing. To be an artist means: to neither reckon nor count; to ripen like the tree, which does not rush its sap, and stands firm in the storms of spring, without anxiety that summer may not come after. It does come. But it comes only to those who are patient, who are there, as if eternity lay before them, so carelessly silent and vast. I learn it daily, learn it with pain, and am grateful for it: Patience is all!”
To reflect on your understanding of self-improvement, consider these questions:
- Why do we pursue self-improvement?
- What does self-improvement truly entail?
- How can one assess their progress?
In a recent conversation with Dr. Ron Siegel, author of The Extraordinary Gift of Being Ordinary, he shared insights about our natural inclination toward self-assessment. Dr. Siegel noted, “Nearly everyone is preoccupied with self-evaluation and rides this sort of roller coaster. Why? Because, I’m sorry to say, we humans did not evolve to be happy. The propensity to evaluate ourselves and compare ourselves to others, which was once useful for survival, is actually hardwired into the human brain. It traps almost all of us in unnecessary self-focused suffering while cutting us off from the very pursuits that could actually make us happier and healthier.”
Section 1.1: The Contradiction of Personal Development
Many spiritual traditions advocate for a different perspective on personal growth. Theologian Thomas Merton remarked, “For me to be a saint means to be myself.” Similarly, psychologist and theologian Anthony de Mello stated, “The spiritual quest is a journey without a distance. You travel from where you are right now to where you have always been.”
Subsection 1.1.1: Embracing Your True Self
Section 1.2: The Importance of Reflection
This discussion does not urge you to abandon your self-improvement goals; rather, it emphasizes the importance of understanding progress and embracing the virtue of patience. For instance, when Seneca was questioned about his journey toward wisdom, he responded, “I have begun to become a better friend to myself.”
Chapter 2: The Path Forward
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you found valuable insights. If you wish to delve deeper, consider exploring Perennial Meditations on Substack or listening to one of our podcasts.