B141: How to be more patient (guided visualization)

Let’s do a guided visualization exercise together: here’s how to be more patient. Oh man, I think this one is more for myself than anyone else! When you want something, like yesterday, it’s incredibly hard to wait, hold things loosely, and be open to any outcome that may materialize.

They say “patience is a virtue,” yet I think of it more like a muscle that needs training.

So let’s work on that today.

Listen and participate in a guided visualization exercise: how to be more patient.

Before we get started, here are a few things that you’ll need to do in order to get the most out of this.

Create a safe space - no distractions or interruptions

First off, you’ll need to create a safe space where you won’t be distracted or interrupted… and also, keep in mind that during this exercise, you’ll have your eyes closed. So yeah, probably not best to do this one while driving.

Silence your phone notifications… The world can wait for the next few minutes.

Then, get comfortable in a seated position or lying down, if that feels better. You get to decide. As with all visualization and breathing exercises we do together this year, you always get to decide what is best for you… take what you need, bless and release the rest.

Okay, now close your eyes or avert your gaze to the ground.

Take 3 intentional breaths together with me

Let’s take three intentional, life-affirming breaths.

Deep breath in through the nose, expand the belly, hold at the top, and then slowly release through the mouth.
(do this three times)

Now, let your breathing come back to a normal pace, whatever feels right for you.

Do a body scan and feel your feet

It’s time to do a body scan… imagine you are slowly scanning your entire body from the tip top of your head, slowly down like molasses, all the way to your fingertips, and then to your toes.

What sensations do you feel? Knots, twinges of pain, soreness, or even , on the flip side, any feelings of harmony, joy, or flow…. just notice what you feel in your body, without judgment or trying to fix it. Just scan down, ever so slowly until you’ve done your entire body.

Once you’re at your feet, really take notice of what it feels like to have your feet make contact with the ground. To be firmly rooted down, the safety and security of that sensation. What do your feet feel like right now?

Time to see yourself being more patient.

I want you to imagine you’re standing outside in a long line of people. You’re not entirely sure why you’re in line and it’s starting to get a bit warm out. You notice the people around you are excited and anticipating something special. You find yourself in a strange place of calm… strange because it’s not normal for you to be patient while standing in line. But something has come over you in this moment and you decide to be super curious and observant of the people around you.

Breathe.

The people in front of you are murmuring.

They heard that you all are waiting to get to the front of the line where you get to make one wish (whatever you desire) and the person at the counter gets to decide… yes or no, not right now. You can ask for anything, big or small, but the outcome is in their hands to decide. You’re not sure how this idea sits with you… leaving things up to chance like this. You continue to stand in the line.

Breathe.

The people behind you spark up a conversation with you. “Hey, what’s this line for anyways?”

You relay the info you heard onwards to them. One person smiles and says, “ahh well, isn’t that life?! Waiting, waiting, waiting for someone else to do something important.” Another person chimes in, “no way, I’m not waiting for this. I’m out.” And then another says, “but maybe it’s something good? Maybe it’s worth the time and patience to see this thing out?” You pause to consider your own thoughts on this unusual situation. Do you wait it out? Do you bounce immediately?

Breathe.

As you deeply consider this scenario, you realize there are many times in life where you might be waiting on someone else to make a decision.

You can take daily, imperfect action towards your goals and intentions… but in some cases, it’s a dance where you might need to wait for someone else to say “yes or… no, not right now” to your offer (or your ask). And that’s perfectly okay because life doesn’t revolve around you, always.

Breathe.

You encourage the queue to shift over and stand in the shade of a beautiful willow tree, swaying softly in the breeze.

“Ahh yes, this is much better,” you think as you continue to have a delightful conversation with your newfound friends in line. Most people stay and that’s okay. A few people decide to go, and that’s okay as well. You decide to stay and you realize you can still make great decisions right now, in the present… in the waiting.

Breathe.

You arrive to the front of the line. The person smiles at the counter and asks you, “what is your wish?”

Honestly, you forgot to even consider what you might ask for as you’ve stayed present in the moment this whole time. You take a second to pause, considering your greatest desire right now. Tapping into your deep inner wisdom, it comes to you immediately. Remembering to hold things loosely and be open to any outcome that may materialize, you slowly whisper your wish into the person’s ear right now. They stand back and wink… and say…

Breathe.

Take this last moment to say thank you with your full spirit and remember that you can revisit this gift any time you wish. It’s yours forever and ever. You are never alone and you are always fully supported.

Take a moment to gather yourself with a deep, belly-filling breath. And when you’re ready, open your eyes.

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So, how was that experience for you?

How did it feel to stand in that queue, staying present in the moment, and ultimately, building up your patience muscle?

I want you to set a 7-minute timer, grab a pen and paper, and take this time to write down everything you remember from this visualization exercise.

What wisdom was shared?
What visual clues did you see?
What did your higher self look like and how did they carry themselves?
What part of this exercise is sticking MOST in your mind and in your heart, that you can’t seem to shake?
…and what’s one thing that you can do today (with courage and simplicity) to take action and head down this new path for your life?

Answer as many of these questions as you like… or just focus on one. Whatever brings you the clarity you desire right now, you get to decide.

One final whisper

Maybe patience really, truly is a virtue.

When I stay present in the moment, I release myself of the anxiety of overthinking the future and also the trap of getting stuck in the past.

It was Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu who said this…

“If you are depressed, you are living in the past.

If you are anxious, you are living in the future.

If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”

I hope that whatever you’re waiting patiently on right now, whether it’s a decision, a person, or a circumstance, that you remember to hold things loosely and that no matter the outcome, you will be absolutely fine. Because 100% of your days so far have played out that way… and you survived.

Today will be no different.

Take daily, imperfect action towards the goals and intentions you desire. Remember to control what you can and release the rest.

Patience is a muscle that you’re training every single day when you pause, listen, and grow.

I hope this visualization sticks with you the entire week through. Do it again and again if you need clarity or fresh ideas on where you’re headed next… Because when you tap into your deep inner knowing, you’re accessing your deep inner wisdom. That electric energy that can be found inside all of us that connects us all together. It knows. You know. We all know if we are brave and we open ourselves to it.

You can do this, I believe in you.

It’s time to SIMPLIFY.

If this thought of the day inspired you...

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As always, please reach out, especially if you’ve got specific ideas or questions that you’d like us to cover on the podcast. DM me on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesimplifiers) and let’s spark a conversation.

Thank you!

Show credits: Suzen Marie, our Podcast Editor and Jeffrey Lynn, our Video Editor. Plus, Aubri Williams, Chris Justice, and George Mills, our advisory board. And I’m your host, Mary Baird. Big love to Dennis Coleman, Kristen Kurtis, plus Mark and the team at Goodboy, as well. Thank you so much for listening and telling your peeps about us.

As always friends, keep things simple.

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