“Waiting is a state of mind. Basically, it means that you want the future; you don’t want the present. You don’t want what you’ve got, and you want what you haven’t got. With every kind of waiting, you unconsciously create inner conflict between your here and now, where you don’t want to be, and the projected future, where you want to be. This greatly reduces the quality of your life by making you lose the present.” The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle
How much of your life do you spend waiting? In line at the grocery store, in traffic, or for someone or something to change? Waiting for winter to end and spring to come?
Waiting can definitely build anticipation, but does it make the future event any sweeter? Can waiting ever be a good thing?
I’m full of questions today with few answers so I’d love to hear your thoughts… Are you waiting for something right now?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m waiting for Christine to have her baby, but I’m so relieved to know that she is going all the way! Audrey will need to be strong with 2 big brothers.
Hi Aunt Claire – She’s definitely one of the things I’ve been thinking about too! We were talking recently about how “in limbo” it feels to be waiting for something that you know will (completely) change your life… Like the arrival of my new niece Audrey! It’s hard to believe they only have a few months before they move back to Texas too… I have a feeling Miss Audrey will keep the boys in check!
Change is definitely in the air… A friend who will be working for the World Heath Organization this summer has been anxiously awaiting news of where she will be visiting, and there has been significant change afoot at my company, which looks like it will finally be public later this week. The period of waiting beforehand is the toughest part for me!
Hi Angela! I do enjoy your blog though I have never posted here before. This post in particular is something I’ve been thinking about lately. I’ve been thinking about the importance of being present–that is, not focusing too much on the past or the future (though obviously both are important) but being exactly where you are NOW. Otherwise, you miss out on the journey and all that has to offer. That said, I think it is possible to be both “waiting” and “present”. As you know, Joe and I are currently waiting for our adoption to go through. However, we’re living up the present and, especially, the freedom we may not have for that much longer (I don’t know if I’ve told you that I’m going to Madrid on my own in a few weeks). Anyway, I think that consciously being present is important to being peaceful (and it makes the waiting a bit easier). Hope you are well–we MUST catch up soon! Look forward to hearing what’s going on with you, including with your job.
Thanks for the comment, Ash. Some days it seems much easier to be both “waiting” and “present” at the same time than on other days, but enjoying your free time sounds like a great focus for the present! Have a great trip.