What are you waiting for? by Syndi Powell


 
I don’t like waiting. Whether it’s waiting in line or for a phone call or for Christmas, I’d rather start doing.

But that’s what’s been happening lately. I’m waiting.

And waiting some more.

But in the waiting, I’ve learned a couple of things:

 
  1. You can’t force something to happen before it’s ready. It’s like trying to serve a cake that didn’t bake long enough. You end up with a gooey mess in the center.
  2. What you’ve been waiting for may not be the right solution. Or the right time. If you had rushed instead of waited, you would have ended up with something that turned out to be the wrong thing.
  3. In the waiting, you discover what you really wanted in the first place. Maybe it is the thing you’ve been waiting for. Maybe it’s something completely different. But in the wait, what’s important tends to step forward while the frivolities fall away.
  4. Waiting isn’t fun, but it is part of the journey.
  5. And since you’re waiting, why not enjoy it?

I’m still working on that last one. I tend to worry when I don’t know what’s going to happen next. And waiting means not knowing which means worrying which means stomach ulcers. Okay, maybe not that extreme…yet. But worrying about the outcome only robs me of the joy I could be having while I wait.

 And I’d much rather have joy.

What are you waiting for?

 

Comments

  1. Hi Syndi,

    Before I started writing books and had my son, I was the most impatient person in the world! But both have taught me how to wait. I still don't like it lol, but as you said-most often the waiting needs to happen. Yesterday, my waiting ended on a certain something and it turned out better than I could have hoped:) I'll share soon... Hopefully your outcome will be what you hoped for as well:) Hang in there...and feel free to email or call anytime and we can impatiently wait together lol:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer, you better share your news soon! LOL. That's what I've learned about the wait: if you wait, it usually ends better than you expected. Can't wait to hear your news!

      Delete
  2. I've never been a patient person. As for worrying, my family all say I worry about not having anything to worry about. I've tried a lot of different things to help relax and then worry if they don't work so I gave that up.
    I hope what you're waiting for comes soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roz, we worrywarts need to unite! I've tried not to worry but it doesn't work for me. Maybe the worry motivates me to keep moving, keep searching.

      Delete
  3. Syndi, may your wait be worthwhile :).

    This (and what Jen said) makes me think of the line in the country song by Garth Brooks that goes, 'Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers'. With me, patience depends entirely on what the waiting is for, LOL. Most of the time the longer the wait, the sweeter the ending ;).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rula, I love that song! Thanks for the reminder.

      Delete
  4. Syndi - there's so much wisdom in all you've learned about waiting - and so many story ideas! But, it's true that waiting is sometimes awful, particularly if what you're waiting for could improve quality of life for yourself or someone you love. I wait for Ron a lot, and that's taught me to slow down and be in the moment and that really does reduce tension. And at heart, I believe that God is in charge, so I can wait as long as it takes and without worry. (At least, that's the ideal I'm going for!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Muriel, I do have problems with staying in the moment. And while I know that God is in charge, I like to give Him the nudge that I think He needs LOL. Luckily, He knows what's best for me. Prayer helps a lot with worry too.

      Delete
  5. Hi Syndi! I don't like waiting either :) It gives me too much time to think that unfortunately, since I'm a glass half empty person, that isn't always a good thing- lol. But, on the other hand, amazing things can surprise you while waiting. I met my husband when I had to move back home when my acceptance into a physical therapy program was deferred. I was irked- to say the least at the enforced wait. However, if I hadn't been forced to spin my wheels, I wouldn't have met the love of my life and had twenty happy years together and hopefully more! (Needless to say the physical therapy thing didn't work out since I would have had to move... but I'm so glad I didn't get the news I wanted right away!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen, congrats on the twenty years! Isn't it amazing how one choice/circumstance puts you on a different path? And how what you think you didn't want brings you to the thing you did? That's what I'm hoping this waiting does.

      Delete
  6. LOL, I'm always five minutes late and mad at the world for making me wait even though it's totally my fault!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, Pamela. I hate being late and will often arrive fifteen minutes early to make sure that I'm not. Thankfully, I always have a book with me to read.

      Delete
  7. I don't know if you all know this, but they are closing the branch of my bank. I've been waiting to hear if they have a position open at another branch, and in the meantime I am applying for jobs everywhere. I did get word that it looks like a position has become available for me but I am waiting to hear the final word on this. My family depends on my income for our living expenses and health insurance while we use my husband's income for taxes, insurance and paying off debt. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed in the meantime.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doesn't it cost a fortune just to be alive? Will hold the good thought for you. Someone will snap you up, then your bachelor will sell lots of books and all will be well.

      Delete

Post a Comment