The Art of Patience: Waiting as Opportunity

Tanya Gill: 00:00:00

Hello, my friends, I just got back from a recent trip to Dallas and I have to share this story with you. My, I want to talk to you about waiting. And the reason I want to talk to you about waiting is because, oddly enough, I was out with a couple of other attendees slash friends and we were on a mission, we had to go to Walgreens for the essentials, which included chapstick, a charging card for my phone and Cadbury mini eggs for Valentine's Day. So anyway, as we were going, we were waiting, push the button, and we were waiting at the corner to cross a busy street when it was safe. And when I pushed the button, it started to drone and it was just like, wait, wait, wait. And I know that obviously, that button is a warning for safety for crossing the street. But as it repeated that word, I was struck by what it meant to wait. And then it was like, when is waiting for our highest good, and how do we know when it's time to wait and when it's time to take the next step. And so, you know, waiting teaches us things. And, you know, obviously I was going to take command of that button for the sake of our safety. And the cars and trucks whizzing by we're, you know also reinforcing, it was probably wise to wait. I'm no fool, I wanted to come home in one piece. But then, after crossing the street, I excitedly came across or we came across to other program attendees. Now, what was so amazing about this is how they use their senses all of their senses, including their intuition, to navigate their lives. And to choose not to wait in life. You see, these two very cool guys are legally blind. And with white canes, they recognized me and my voice and even connected me to Canada, they recognized my other two friends. And they shared that they were on their way to get some lunch. And their destination was about three blocks from the hotel. And, you know, the amazing thing was was they had a plan. They had the tools, they were clear on their intentions. Basically, it was fine, the kinds of burgers they wanted for lunch. And I found myself totally marveling at how they confidently navigated the world, and didn't wait for someone else to either bring food to them, or simply go without waiting. This is my reflection waiting can be a source of anxiety, as we wonder if we're missing out on opportunities or falling behind. However, when we approach waiting with intention and an open mind, it can be a valuable tool for personal growth and processing space. Ultimately, waiting can be an element of transformation. It can be challenging, don't get me wrong, especially in a world that values the immediacy of instant gratification. I get it, we can be easily led to believe that there's no movement in waiting, or conversely that waiting for the right time will be the safest. It can be kind of confusing dichotomy. This concept of waiting, we can feel stuck, we can feel frustrated, and our inner critic can easily take over telling us that we don't deserve what we truly desire. And we may also deny ourselves the use of all of our senses to help us with the movement we desire, including that sixth sense that intuition. However, waiting can also be a time of intentional action and deep reflection. By tapping into our intuition, we can discern when to wait and when to take the next step. And so then, I was like okay, so what are the keys? What are the key ways to step into your intuition around waiting? And the first is just really connect thing with that gut feeling. Your intuition is a sixth sense that helps you make sense of the world around you. And it can manifest in various ways. It can be a gut feeling, or it can feel like a hunch, or, or it can be just that sense of knowing. You can also sometimes even feel a physical reaction when you're trusting your gut, different parts of your body may be sending different messages to you to assist in that deep knowing. And when you wait, pay attention to these signals. If you feel uneasy about a situation or a decision, it might be a sign that it's not the right time to act. Conversely, if you feel excited or energized, it might be a sign to move forward. Now, a second element that can help you with moving through waiting, is practicing mindfulness. And I know here we go, some people will be like your she's getting on her meditation train again. But here's the thing. When we are stressed or anxious, it can be difficult to hear our intuition. So when we focus on the future or the past, we miss what's happening in that present moment. And mindfulness just brings us to that more present moment, so that we can calm our mind and make better decisions. So please, my invitation to you is to take a few minutes each day, to sit in silence. Focus on your breath, and observe your thoughts and emotions. Waiting can be an opportunity to cultivate mindfulness, which is that practice of being present in the moment without judgment. It can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, and also help you distinguish between your intuition and your inner critic. When you notice negative self talk, try to observe it without judgment and remind yourself that it is just a thought, not a reality. Finally, my friend, you can use weighting as an opportunity for growth. We are conditioned to believe that success and happiness come to those who act quickly and decisively. However, waiting can be a powerful tool that allows us to take intentional action and make better decisions. make better decisions. Because we're listening to that inner voice and determining whether we truly want what we think we do. It can be a time to reflect on your values and priorities. And use this time to clarify your goals and aspirations and what matters to you. And then also, ask yourself what steps you need to take to achieve them. You can consider journaling or meditating as a way to move forward. Also, using an outside perspective can be helpful. Like go to a trusted loved one, a friend, a family member, maybe you have a high counsel someone in your high counsel. If you're open to their perspectives and receiving what they have to share, then they can also help you through this time that may feel like discomfort in waiting. And you know the other pieces that if you want someone with a little less skin in the game, coaching is another option as well. Because it can help you I can help you. We can help you. You can help you gain perspective and clarity and create a plan that feels heart centered with someone who is outside of your day to day life.