Waiting is tedious. People stand behind blue and yellow tape lines or X’s on the ground in accordance with social distancing procedures, or they are cordoned off by ropes for what seems an interminable length of time to enter stores. There can be no definitive plans to get somewhere else for these human lines are everywhere. A young mother shifts her sleeping infant from one hip to the other as she waits in the line. In another place women and men in their sixties and older appear to know just what to do while waiting—they talk in angry staccato voices about the inconvenience of this waiting and lay blame on the place they are trying to enter, the government, politicians and this new century attitude. A few minutes later they gossip animatedly about whatever; the camaraderie seems vital to the maintenance of a positive mindset. Some people, while waiting, just watch others and hastily avert their eyes when they are caught in the act of observation.
Few people glorify waiting. It seems always to be accompanied by tension and stress. There is an attitude of impatience that we should even have to wait for anything. A hallowed technology culture does not condition people to be comfortable with delay. Yet, when we examine ourselves inwardly, we find that the fault of our impatience is in ourselves and not external circumstances. Usually, when we wait, we have tunnel vision and concentrate solely on that for which we are waiting. All else fades into the background of our lives. A myriad of concerns may await our attention, but in waiting, we are riveted on the fact that we cannot move forward on our own schedule.
But waiting can be an interval to become still, to listen, to talk, to silence the frantic voices within (or to listen to them). It is a time of being between the push, pull and rush of our days. If we set aside our annoyance, waiting might become an opportunity to increase our innovative thinking skills. Self-centeredness could become other-centeredness. The latter revitalizes us and the context in which we live. Waiting just may be a time to seriously examine a dream or two and jot down a few goals to bring them to fruition.
Reflections
Write down one thing for which you are waiting. Note the pluses and minuses of waiting for it. Be honest with yourself.
Write down those areas in your life (personal, professional, social, etc.) that need your attention. What circumstances are causing you to wait? Be specific.
Who in your life is waiting for you to listen to her/him?
Dorothy Watson Tatem, D.Min., ACC
Senior Associate
Next Step Associates, LLC
Cassandra W. Jones, Ed.D.
CEO & President
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