If patience is a virtue, what does that make impatience? Patience may be virtuous but most of us are not so blessed. However, you can find practical ways to deal with your impatience while at your work place and at home.

I find that reading helps me to keep calm and sane. My motto is always have a book. What do you do when you are in a situation that snaps at your patience?

See my patience hints here Practicing Patience

If I'm about to lose my patience with my children, I start singing - usually a Jewish prayer or a niggun which is a "song without words", a repetitive melody.

Brilliant article Vannie. Practical advice.

When I am really stressed I make a cup of tea, I bring myself back to the moment and ask God to give me the patience I need.

And like Lisa, I think prayer helps.

Lisa, I think my mom may have done that, many times when the boys were rambunctious, after telling them to quiet down, etc. she would often hum sort of a no tune thing and go about her work. How odd that your post should remind me of that.

Linda, thanks for your kind words. I used to do the tea thing when I worked my 9 to 5 and got tired of people calling my name. I would escape and take 5 minutes in our little kitchen, I would have a cup of tea and take deep breaths. It really did help. Of course people found me, but by that time it was funny to me.

Yes, I often did a quick prayer, still do, "Lord help me calm down (or stay calm.)Short but it works for me. Again, my mom's was "Please give me strength."

LOL Vannie, I am still working on this

Now my boyfriend has it down pat and lives his life one day at a time. Of course having a glass of wine after work helps him

Now some days I have it down - but some days I just lose it. But hey, no one is ever too old (now 52) to learn patience and calmness.

"...no one is ever too old...to learn patience and calmness." From your mouth to HIS ears.

I love this

Find a peaceful place where you can be alone for a few minutes to think, rest and breathe

Yes Danielle, I learned something from one of the lawyer's I used to work with, she would say out out loud, "In the scheme of my life, is this really a big deal, important, etc?" Taking that view, it never is.