Wednesday, April 21, 2010

I read somewhere that the average person spends five years of their life waiting.

Recently I’ve spent a lot of time learning the art of waiting, and in a country that loves numbers, flow charts and power point graphics I wonder if there is a statistic for the average time spent waiting for intangible things.

Oh, I’ve spent hours and hours waiting on the phone or in a line somewhere. And, like my other linemates, I’ve rolled my eyes and sighed, standing quietly, resigned to my fate as a “waiter.” Occasionally I’ve been guilty of exhaling thru puffed out cheeks and grumbling about the wasted time.

I’ve rushed through life -- in a hurry to grow up, to have a career, to accumulate possessions. I didn’t have time to wait. I had to be there now; had to have it now; had to discover it now. Waiting was for those who didn’t have anything better to do or the wherewithal to seemingly bend time to their will. I looked at anyone patiently waiting and somehow felt superior. I had appointments to keep! I had a career! I had a life! I was going places!

Ah, the folly of youth.

Yet, even in middle age I still felt the need to hurry – to not wait. I couldn’t wait for that next promotion, for the kids to get bigger, for parties, vacations, the next new thing to come along.

I am now aware there is a huge difference between waiting and WAITING….

I wait at the deli counter
I ‘WAIT’ for the Doctor to call

I wait in the line that snakes around the corner at DMV
I ‘WAIT’ for my child to come home from his first solo drive in the car

I wait while a disembodied voice tells me “Your call is important to us. Please stay on the line - your call will be answered by the next available representative.”
I ‘WAIT’ for the call that says I’m a grandmother

I wait for my lunch order to arrive
I ‘WAIT’ for test results that may change my life forever.

Wait time is now something I look forward to. Waiting gives me time to stop the world for a moment. It forces me to just breathe; to take a moment to think, to reflect.

I’ve made mental apologies to all of those I had brushed aside or looked down on. I am somewhat ashamed of the ignorance and arrogance of my thoughts and youth. I now know the difference between waiting and WAITING – and I’ve learned to appreciate the wait.

11 comments:

  1. Quieten...this is a beautiful post...and you are so wise...I love the distinctions you make here. And I will remember this always...It is good to have the quiet time...I so appreciate it...life moves too quickly to enjoy sometimes...It IS so nice to ramble along...enjoying and savoring the good times. Thank you for this lovely reminder! You have expressed it so perfectly! Love to you, my friend! ~Janine XO

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your post was beautiful Quieten. I can feel that stress has been lifted by reading your words. It's nice to read! Love Di ♥

    ReplyDelete
  3. Age and life circumstances do help us learn the difference in waiting and Waiting...what's important and what's not.

    Your post was beautiful, Quieten.
    ♥...Wanda

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello my friend, you sound so content and peaceful in your post.....love it sweetie.

    Wanda is so right.....I believe age, cicumstance and experience not only forces us to grow up quickly, but we learn to accept, appreciate and enjoy the moment......when this happens peace and contentment settle into our bones and you my dear friend have graduated to the highest level, and deserve the contentment you are now feeling. In a perfect world there would be no cancer, but we don't live in a perfect world as you know.

    I do hope George is continuing to do well, I love how your blog has gone from almost panic and disbelief to one of understanding and inspiration........big hugs......:-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh Bernie, it was panic and disbelief! Some days it still is - but with all of that has come the understanding. The bad days are still really, really bad but-just as you told me - the good days are slowly beating out the bad ones.

    Huggz,
    Quieten

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks, Di - I think the days are getting less stressful. What a ride this is!!!!!
    Huggz,
    Quieten

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wanda,
    Isn't it funny how our priorities change as our lives go on. If nothing else, facing cancer with a loved one a made me a better wife and a nicer human being!
    Huggz,
    Quieten

    ReplyDelete
  8. Janine, Thank you for the kind words. I don't know about being wise. I seem to spend most of my time feeling pretty dumb!! :-)
    But reading that little blurb about how much time a person waits really got me thinking. And that, in of itself, is never a bad thing for me *giggle*!
    It put a whole new light on the mundane things in life.
    Luv ya,
    Quieten

    ReplyDelete
  9. A great post... I had never thought about waiting and WAITING in such a way... you are so right :0)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Just stopping by to see how you are...I'm still praying for you both DAILY...and hope that George's recovery is going well! Love you, Janine XO

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thinking of you, dear Quieten! Love, Janine XO

    ReplyDelete