The paradox of Patience.

Those who are certain of the outcome can afford to wait, and wait without anxiety. Patience is natural to the teacher of God. All he sees is certain outcome, at a time perhaps unknown to him as yet, but not in doubt. The time will be as right as is the answer. And this is true for everything that happens now or in the future. The past as well held no mistakes; nothing that did not serve to benefit the world, as well as him to whom it seemed to happen. Perhaps it was not understood at the time. Even so, the teacher of God is willing to reconsider all his past decisions, if they are causing pain to anyone. Patience is natural to those who trust. Sure of the ultimate interpretation of all things in time, no outcome already seen or yet to come can cause them fear. (M-4.VII.1) ACIM

This brings me to a phenomenon I like to call the paradox of patience. In fear-based thinking if you are too patient you will miss something that is someplace where you are not. Something important will happen when you are not present. The philosophy of “if I hurry up to get there, I will arrive that much sooner” sticks in the fear-based mind. But the problem is that even when you hurry to get there, you never seem to arrive. You rush to a series of appointments, rarely being present with where you are. But something quite remarkable and paradoxical occurs when you develop patience: Patience produces immediate effects. The attitude of patience results in the experience of God’s peace. A Course in Miracles illustrates this point_[1]:

Now you must learn that only infinite patience produces immediate effects. This is the way in which time is exchanged for eternity. Infinite patience calls upon infinite love, and by producing results now it renders time unnecessary. We have repeatedly said that time is a learning device to be abolished when it is no longer useful. The Holy Spirit, Who speaks for God in time, also knows that time is meaningless. He reminds you of this in every passing moment of time, because it is His special function to return you to eternity and remain to bless your creations there. He is the only blessing you can truly give, because He is truly blessed. Because He has been given you freely by God, you must give Him as you received Him. T-5.VI.12

_[1] Walking Through Walls: Practical Spirituality in an Impractical World By Lee L. Jampolsky