Patience is a by-product of difficulties. Gods can’t grant it for the asking. One has to gain it through experience.  Indeed, it is a virtue that is earned. Our first reaction in the face of any trouble is to get irritated. We then get wild if we are not able to exercise control over a situation. We start throwing tantrums around. Little do we realize that by doing so we are only further harming ourselves? It seems human nature has been the same over generations.

Aristotle once said, “Anyone can become angry and that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, to the right decree, at the right time, for the right purpose and in the right way which is not easy.” If anger is not articulated properly we lose control over our senses. The question, however, is: whether it is possible to be furious and yet not to lose balance? Our Hindi films portray this aspect of our nature rather boldly. As and when wronged our celluloid heroes pick up guns and go on a shooting spree.

Anger is thus vented through violence. It leads to hate as well. Does it solve our problems? The answer can only be in the negative. It actually complicates matters for us. After all, we are human beings and are prone to making mistakes. The only satisfaction for us is that even Gods have acted like us on assuming our form. Had Krishna not broken His vow in Mahabharata? He had pledged not to take a weapon into his hand. He was forced to take up a chariot wheel as if it was his Sudarshan Chakra and run towards Bhishma Pitamah with the purpose of attacking him in order to stop his merciless onslaught against Pandavas. Bhishma, however, was remarkably patient. He was aware that Krishna was lord of the universe. He lost no time in dropping his weapons and bowing before Krishna. Krishna was stung to the quick. He was reminded of His pledge and He made amends by throwing away the chariot.

The old Chinese proverb says that ‘One moment of patience may Ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life.’ It is necessary to understand that being patience does not imply being lazy. To keep going when the going is hard and slow-that is patience. In present times we don’t have Krishnas and Bhishmas in our midst. We are, therefore, unable to exhibit the sort of gestures they have made; instead, we revel in running down each other. It will not be an exaggeration to say this. We show little concern for one another’s feelings. We hurt abuses and flex muscles. No wonder the majority of us attract tension diabetes, hypertension and blood pressure. The need today is to have patience with all things but chiefly have patience with oneself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them and every day begin the task a new and in the end patience pays.