On Wednesdays, I share posts, fables, songs, poems, quotations, TEDx Talks, cartoons, and books that have inspired and motivated me on my writing journey. I hope these posts will give writers, artists, and other creatives a mid-week boost.

In her recent release, Consider This: Reflections for Finding Peace, bestselling author Nedra Glover Tawwab shares inspiring advice for setting boundaries, rising above drama, and expressing ourselves with clarity and integrity. Here’s a thought-provoking reflection:

Time can’t be rushed.

Patience is the only choice, even when you don’t like it. People lament, “I need to be patient.” But you actually have no choice. You will either wait calmly, or you will wait in a mood. Either way, you will wait. Perhaps, what you need is to feel calmer or less moody.

Sometimes, this means allowing for extra time when you plan.

Traffic will take time.

Waiting on others will take time.

Progress on a goal will take time.

Who you become while waiting matters. Do you complain? Do you pace? Do you check the time repeatedly? Do you try to speed things up secretly, knowing you can’t? How do you handle something you can’t control?

You will have to wait on some things. Your job is determining who you will be while practicing patience.

Source: Consider This, p. 171.