Perfecting the Art of "Waiting Proactively"

photo courtesy:sg.forums

I was rushing home one afternoon, trying to catch the MRT. I heard the sound “tooo tooo toooot toooooot. Doors are closing.” I saw the flashing red light and the train gates began to close. I had to stop and wait for the next train. It was not a short 1 minute wait, it was 5 minutes! Great, just when I was really in a hurry.


While I waited for the long 5 minute interval, my mind began to wander, how in my life where I had to wait. Times when I am almost close to achieving something. Moments when a goal or a dream is about to be accomplished, then something came up…and there was nothing to do but wait. Or simply because I have to undergo a step by step process and each step of the way requires you to wait.

As far as I know, in our society, no one likes to wait. I know I don’t. Do you? But oftentimes, there are situations when we have nothing to do but wait. They are beyond our control. A long queue in the ATM booth, or perhaps an untoward event like a natural disaster or an economic downturn stills us to a waiting and anticipating mode. There are people who slow us down -- our colleagues, clients, or perhaps our family members. Personal matters that could stop us like our health or our limited finances. One or a few of these factors may contribute to the stalling of our much cherished dream becoming a reality.

What do you do when you are forced to wait? How do you cope with the agony of waiting? I am still finding answers but some of these tips help me to cope while waiting for a goal…a dream:

I create a “to do list” in how I will be able to achieve this goal. Review it regularly to make sure that my dream is still alive despite the hiatus state of waiting. In others words “Plan”. Create a roadmap to the goal you have in mind, so that you do not get lost in the sea of day to day living and anxiety.

I always keep in mind that fear is part of the process. Sometimes I wonder if I have what it takes to reach my dream. I admit that fear is a normal human behavior. But at the same time I know that the only way past fear is “through it” and not “around it”. Courage and perseverance goes a long way.

But while I’m at it, waiting and hoping….I acknowledge that life goes on. With that in mind I should be nice to myself along the way. Your life does not stop because you are waiting for a dream to materialize. While I review my roadmap regularly, I still live my life and enjoy every moment of it. Look forward to your dream but cherish and enjoy every moment of your life. Sometimes it’s not the destination that counts but how we appreciate the journey.

And most important of all, make Jehovah God the center of your dreams and goals. Pray and trust that He knows what is best for you. And he will give you the desires of your heart at the right time.

This works for me so far, what ticks with you?

Live and Love,

Mrs. Martinez :)