: Re: How can I make "acts of patience" exciting? This answer to the question Averting Real Women Don’t Wear Dresses introduces a distinction between acts of patience and acts of daring. [...] when

@Michele605

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I like Mark Baker's concept of enduring patience, however, patience doesn't necessarily imply inaction as Amadeus asserts.

In the Sci-Fi classic, Stranger In A Strange Land, the concept of "waiting is" is introduced. It denotes a state of action and intention without any focus on the end or when it will be achieved. The focus on time is greatly reduced. This is non-attachment which is taught in Yoga and Buddhism. One can care very deeply and work very hard while still being in a state of acceptance of what is. This frees up tremendous energy and brings clarity of thought and action.

That's not boring, but it's a state that most westerners are unfamiliar with and would find paradoxical, so writing about it would be challenging.

Another approach relies on contrast. The protagonist does not exist in a vacuum. As he or she (or whatever) stands as a rock of strength in the situation, other characters can take action, get frustrated, etc. and this can highlight the main character's resolve and perhaps show that patience wins the day.

Being patient isn't a single dimension either. Someone who is outwardly patient and holding to their discipline may inwardly be having doubts, questioning their approach, or even burning through many ego-related issues which they are forced to confront precisely because they are exercising restraint and not going for easy or fast options because they see or sense that the solution they seek is far broader or more powerful than what can be achieved in the short term.

There's even an Austrian economics take on this. It's called time preference. When people have faith in the future, then they have a low time preference and are willing to save and build for the future (which is how societies grow). A high time preference leads to immediate spending because the future is uncertain or unimportant. People with low time preferences plant trees that take many years before they give shade or bear fruit. They don't just sit still and hope things get better.

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