What is one thing I have learned that has help benefit me while being incarcerated?

Being an inmate requires a lot of waiting. Waiting for food, waiting for programs, waiting for lawyers, waiting for the system, waiting, waiting, waiting... All of this waiting can be so mentally difficult for a person that has always wanted everything right now and right away. This is how I was and I think a lot of people can relate to this. Maybe you are home right now waiting for your inmate to call or come home and you are waiting in frustration. It becomes difficult to not let this frustration turn to anger which can lead to quick poor decisions.

I have been asking myself, "what can I gain and learn from all of this waiting?" "How can I grow form this, so I won't become angry towards the world?" I think that when we are forced to wait it gives us the chance to pause mentally and spiritually so we can reset and clear our minds. My life in the past was full of rushing to the next thing, for me this led to not understanding the purpose of my actions or properly valuing the moments. I was afraid to pause and reflect on my next choice because it was easier just to have the easy thing right away. Now, I am in a place that has allowed me to wait and build the patience up to reflect before my next choice. Yes, I want things quickly but there is a gift in having to wait versus rushing on to the next thing. Having the pause before I speak or interact with the world gives me the chance to reset my mind that when it is finally time to act I might make a better decision. I guess all the waiting is a chance to practice and develop the skill of pausing to reflect fuller which can lead to better choices later. Maybe even though we don't always like it having to wait can be a blessing.