The Art of Waiting

I seem to struggle with the concept of "not right now."  I'm an individual genetically programmed for action.  No matter how hard I try to be in the moment - in my current circumstance -  my dreams for my perfect world are ever present creating sometimes an overwhelming dissatisfaction with NOW... and unfortunately the sadness that the longing brings makes being "present" very difficult at times.

My logical brain informs me regularly that "I" am not solely in charge of my future nor of my circumstances... that in fact there ARE others involved.  And unfortunately for me those other characters in my life's story are not presently willing or able to act on our mutually agreed upon dream(s).  The result:  I am forced to WAIT.

I used to feel that there really wasn't anything to hurry about, that I/we had a lifetime so no rush.  No need to unnecessarily upset the current apple cart but rather that things would unfold over time.

However, as I get older, watching days become weeks, weeks become months, and months become years, I find I no longer feel that way.  I essentially believe that your dreams will only come true if you take the steps to ACT on creating the future you want.

So what do you do to discipline your mind against the longing, against the impatience to allow yourself to be in your present happily without losing focus on your dream or purpose?

I think you have to follow the basic principles that comprise what I call the Art of Waiting:

Step 1 - Pray (Meditate).  If you haven't already written down your Vision - what you WANT - then you need to start there and do that.
Step 2 - Trust that God knows your heart's desire.  Remind yourself of this whenever the sadness creeps in knowing that you are LOVED.
Step 3 - Never Give Up!  Have faith and act on that faith by doing all you can to prepare your life for the changes that your dream coming true will bring.
Step 4 - Speak the Truth.  Take the risk of saying out loud what you want, what you are praying for... what your heart's desire actually IS.

This last step is perhaps one of the most important... because I believe God acts on our behalf when we ASK and He is ensured of the credit when what we ask for is granted or given to us.  He doesn't want us chalking our changes or dreams coming true to randomness or circumstances, our own brilliance or even luck or time.  He wants the credit and praise for an Answered Prayer.  Our silence minimizes His Actions on our behalf and therefore His Glory.

I think the simple truth is that we all have lessons to learn along our journey to our Dream or our Vision.  For some of us, it's about TRUST... others, it's about recognizing our own WORTHINESS - that we deserve our path and our happiness, even if we think it may not be what others may want or want for us.  Still for others it's about fighting our fears and making decisions based on what we KNOW to be True.  And the list of reasons goes on and on and on.

Joy comes when AT LAST your dream, your desire is fulfilled for sure.  But in the meantime, do what you can by honoring the journey of those you love particularly if you are waiting for a mutual dream to come true.  That doesn't mean sit idly by but it does mean there is something essentially active about learning to WAIT without fear or judgment.  Make sure you are doing your part -- all you can -- from speaking your truth to actively changing your circumstances where you can... and then encourage those you love to do the same.

Perhaps once you and I perfect the art of waiting, that lesson will be one of the last pieces needed on our journey toward our dreams coming true!  I sure hope so...  ;)

Food for thought, right?

THINK.    WRITE.     BELIEVE.     ACT.

I'd love to hear about your journey!  Please share your stories of waiting and/or subsequent fulfillment.  I'd like to know how you made it through or if you're still waiting too?!

Where do I/we go from here?

I find myself wondering this more than I care to admit.  It's the nagging tickler in my mind's eye that reminds me, nudges me, and provokes me to THINK and wonder.

"What...IF?"

Every life truly does have a story.  A purpose.  Is it any wonder then that our souls are driven to seek out that purpose and plan?  To fulfill the VISION even when aspects of it remain hidden to us... I've found that there is an intricate pattern woven by choice and tempered by challenges that seems, in hindsight, to be designed to keep us between the lines of our real destiny's path.  The fluidity of our lives slows or quickens proportionally with our willingness to recognize and learn, making decisions that move us forward toward that destiny.

Most days my vision for my life feels more like a demand requiring my attention and devotion, propelling me forward even when I try with all my might to slow it down.

My FEELINGS seem to have a mind of their own.  Hmmmm....sort of like this run-away train at times.  The power of the emotions blurring everything else.  Lately I feel as if I'm in one of two states:  either standing perfectly still with life whirling past me -- OR -- I'm moving at the speed of light while everything else moves at a glacial pace.  In both cases, it makes it incredibly difficult to LIVE IN THE MOMENT!

Can you live in the moment and yet focus on your vision or dream?  Aren't those two things inherently in opposition?

Yes and No.  How's that for clarity?

I believe that's the fun of life.  We are each 'called' to LIVE... and living is complicated no matter how simple we try to make it.  The key we are told is to have balance - allowing ourselves to stand still if we need to while still pushing ourselves to move forward and make changes that are uncomfortable to get us closer to our destiny... that nagging vision.

For anyone who has been through a tough time, you inevitably reach a point though when you ask yourself: "Where do I/we go from here?" because your personal balancing act resulted in a lot of broken plates that crashed when you could no longer spin all of them.

How do I reach my goal? my vision? my destiny?

This is how the "What IF" questions start because we are all SEEKING; trying to unravel the hidden road in front of us so that we can KNOW what steps to take.  Problem is that we often don't "know" and we must instead rely on faith and simply choose to take that first step, and then the next, and the next... even when it would be so much easier to back-track or stay put.

The thing is that even if you're in a season of stillness - you can't stay there.  Eventually we all have to move forward.  Life simply won't allow us to not move.  So the answer to the question really is: FORWARD.

Just remember, it's up to you whether or not you take baby steps or a giant leap.  Either way, it's your path and it's your destiny.  Choose for you because that's precisely what we are each called to do... and then trust that God will take care of the rest of the details.

THINK.     WRITE.     BELIEVE.     ACT.

AAAAGGGGHHHHH

This week has been particularly challenging.  Seems like things really do come in three's - ever notice that? First one thing happens, maybe a sleepless night; then flight changes, family circumstances, some physical restrictions... and the next thing you know, you're finally working out with your trainer and you reach the top of a rather large set of stairs in the middle of the woods and just shout:

AAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

exhale

I felt like a volcano.

Seems like life has been swirling around me and I'm not really participating... just listening or rather trying to decipher the words coming at me from all angles.  Everything and everyone sounds like the Snoopy teacher:  Waaa Waaa Waaaaa Waa Waaaaaa Wa Waaaa.

Huh?

And as I stand in the middle of my figurative tornado of thoughts, words, emotions, projects, people, planes, and baggage, the ONLY thing I wanted to do was GET AWAY.  I can feel that I'm getting desperately raw which is making me seriously angry.  Thus the shout.  I wish it had been a scream, but seems I'm not terribly good at screaming.  I growl.

Lots of people say "I need a vacation."  And I'm sure they do... but I'm SERIOUS.  (Yes, I'm laughing at myself as I write that... as if others are somehow NOT serious).

So I'm trying to get back to a little levity and simplicity here.  1) Breathe  2) Plan a Get-Away  3) Figure out what needs to be done so I CAN get-away...  ;)  then 4) Breathe more.

My vision for now is exactly that.  A vacation.  NO cell phone.  NO iPad.  No laptop.  Literally.  No To-Do list.  I don't even want an adventure.  I want Q U I E T.

I'm sure all you parents know and long for moments of "quiet."  I would like to request several of those moments to occur consecutively, please?  Nothing fancy.  Nothing even that expensive.  Just "quiet" so I may actually be able to hear my own thoughts rather than the thoughts of everyone else.  I feel somewhat like Bruce Almighty where he begins to hear all the prayers of the people of Buffalo while at dinner.  Doesn't mean I am God or even think I'm THAT important but the increasingly LOUD vocal clutter in my head is deafening.

Funny how that happens.  The shouting TO DO list in your mind takes over drowning out all other thoughts... now while I grant you that the shouting TO DO is much better than any negative mental gymnastics, it can have a similar effect:  feeling small and powerless, overwhelmed.

Hmmm.  Time for a Re-set.

Okay, I know what's needed.  Understand what my solution must be... now to begin taking the moment by moment, day by day steps to get me to where I want to be / go!  Time to write down my vision!  Beginning with where do I want to go?  Followed by a tighter definition of when (saying as soon as possible really isn't very clear)... and then what do I want to do?  (that will determine what I wear and bring).

The same rules that apply to planning a vacation, apply to life's purpose or vision.  Begin with what you know rather than what you don't and the basics of where you want to go.  The rest of the Q&A will follow from there.  Once you figure that part out, then you get the rest of life and work organized to support that vision (in my immediate case, my vacation).  Take action steps to make what you want happen.

And lastly, refuse to give up.  If there's a WILL, then the cliche is true - there IS a WAY!  There's always a way for whatever you want or dream about.  Believe it!

You simply have to decide for yourself and then take the (baby) steps -- or you can be a sprinter, hurtler, like me - and move forward toward your vision.  It's worth it!

THINK.    WRITE.    BELIEVE.    ACT.