Wait: a.) to delay service b.) to be ready c.) look forward to the probable occurrence of d.) delay: time during which some action is awaited e.) a. To remain or rest in expectation.
Do you wait for something to begin or to end? As children, we waited forward, waiting for something to occur. We dreamed, anticipated, hoped, believed. As adults, it seems like we wait backward waiting for something to end. Or maybe the voice of reality splashes over our hopes and dreams, so we stop waiting forward. We just give up or turn away.
In 1947, 1977, waiting was a different animal. We waited until we earned the prize. Now in 2007, we buy or demand what we want - we don't wait. We drive on our impulses rather our discipline. Look at the financial picture of the USA - in 1967, we saved to buy. In 2007 we buy on credit and pay backward.
I wonder as writers if that's why it can be so hard to wait to hear from editors. Maybe we are used to getting what we want, when we want it and now. And if we don't get it, we move to something else that can provide instant relief. A letter of acceptance is out of our control. All we can do is wait. Write. Wait. Write. Wait. And we don't like it. Not one teeny bit!
f.) to act as an attendant or servant.
What if we are attendants or servants to our heart's desires? Servants to the wait. What would that mean? We honor those desires by waiting and valuing them enough to keep them alive - reminding ourselves what truly matters. The waiting period becomes as delicious as the end result. The journey is the true reward.
As the years pass, I find that I prefer the wait. The wait holds wonder, potential, hope, promise. It brings me back to my roots. The not waiting - the impulsivity, instant gratification, demands of the now - steal the power and beauty of the process. It feeds the beast at the expense of my soul.
What do you wait for?
How do you wait?
What is waiting for you?
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8 comments:
I just asked my 7 yr old what waiting means. He said it means that you go outside and play while someone does something else. Hmmm. I like that definition too. :-)
Oh wow, now that was a powerful piece writerkat!
I especially connected to the "waiting for something to end". I was there not too long ago myself. Both professionally and personally.
Waiting backward is a very depressing place to be. Ah, but waiting forward...now that is fun..as long as you're moving forward too.
I find that I'm much more patient today than I was even two years ago. Writing has been a big part of that. Also accepting the fact that we cannot control the outcome of many things, to try is futility.
Boy - I loved the insightfulness of your post. I hope you keep it up for a while as I plan to re-read it often. Great perspective!
Word, Thanks for your thoughts. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Writing helps me too with slowing down and accepting things. And you are right, it helps move us forward. I find the most depressing moments of my life have been when I feel stagnant and unable to change. Writing seems to break me free of that, over and over again.
Thanks for stopping by & sharing your thoughts. :-)
I agree with Word. I love the insightfulness of this post. I haven't thought about it like that before, but you are right. We are used to buying backward. That can't be healthy, can it?
I think my children have taught me patience and the 'waiting' game. I know you know what I mean! And yes, the writing process has also taught me quite a lot of patience.
P.S.
Since I've been popping in here lately, I secretly hope to find some blogside therapy. Yanno, someone writes a letter like "Dear Abby" and you offer your advice.
;-)
Thanks for stopping by CL. Dear Abby.... hmmm. Would I need malpractice insurance? Lay one on me & we'll see what I can come up with. :-)
As a therapist, I tend to let the client come up with the answers, I just offer guidance when needed to stay on the path. Here's my favorite self affirmation: "All I need is inside myself. Perfect wisdom is in my heart." That's kind of how I run my therapy.
Hey Writerkat -
I try to do that with my kids. Help them solve their own problems. But I think I might need to take some lessons from you. This is a typical conversation in my house:
Kid Number One (or thing one as CL would say ;-))
"Mom - what should I do? My two best friends hate each other and one threatened to poison the other one's hairspray and then spray it on the mouthpiece of her flute."
Me:
Mmmmhmmmm.
Kid Number One: "MOM! Did you hear what I said? Stop typing on the computer!"
Me:
Huh? Oh yeah, poisoned flutes huh?
Did you report this to the police?
Kid Number One: "No."
Me: Well do you think you should?
Cheers ladies!
CL is right though! I'd love to see an "Ask Writerkat Column"
Word, I can so relate to that conversation!
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