What Waiting Teaches Us

On a recent trip to Dallas, as I was pausing in safety to cross a busy street, the button I pushed droned on “wait” “wait” “wait” – I know it’s warning was for safety crossing the street, but as it repeated the word, I as struck by what it means to wait – and when waiting is truly for our highest good. 

Obviously I was going to take the command of the button for the sake of my safety as cars and trucks whizzed by!  I’m no fool, coming home in one piece was a priority!

But then after crossing the street I excitedly came upon two other program attendees, and was struck by how they used their senses and intuition, every tool they have in their life – to choose not to wait in life.  

You see, these two gentlemen are legally blind.  Visually differently abled, they recognized each of us, and confidently connected one of us to our home town.  They shared they were on their way to get some lunch, and their destination was about 3 blocks from the hotel.  They used all of their senses, including their deep knowing, to continue to step into life, and also, to know when to wait.

They had a plan, the tools, and were clear on their intentions.  Eat burgers for lunch. 

I marvelled 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 can be a source of anxiety, as we wonder if we're missing out on opportunities or falling behind our peers. However, when we approach waiting with intention and an open mind, it can be a valuable tool for personal growth and transformation.

Waiting can be a challenging experience, especially in a world that values immediacy and instant gratification. It can be easy to believe that there is no movement in waiting, or conversely, that waiting for the “right time” will be the safest.

It can be a confusing dichotomy, the concept of wait.

We may feel stuck or frustrated, and our inner critic can easily take over, telling us that we don't deserve what we truly desire. We may also deny the use of all of our senses to help us with the movement we desire – including that “6^th sense”.  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.

Here are three key ways to tap into your intuition around waiting:

1. Trust your gut feelings Your intuition is like a sixth sense that helps you make sense of the world around you. It can manifest in various ways, such as a gut feeling, a hunch, or a sense of knowing. Often you may even notice a physical reaction – different parts of your body may be trying to assist in your deep knowing.  

   When you're waiting, 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 and energized, it might be a signal to move forward. Remember that fear and excitement can feel very similar in the body, so this is a process of really tapping in. 

2. Practice mindfulness When we are anxious or stressed, it can be difficult to hear our intuition. We are so focused on the future or past that we miss what is happening in the present moment. Practicing mindfulness can help us be more present, calm our mind, and make better decisions. 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 the practice of being present in the moment without judgment. Mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, and 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's just a thought, not a reality.

3. Use waiting 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. It can also be an opportunity to listen to our inner voice and determine whether we truly want what we think we do.

   Sometimes, waiting can be an opportunity to reflect on your values and priorities. Use this time to clarify your goals and aspirations and ask yourself what steps you need to take to achieve them. Consider journaling or meditating. 

An outside perspective can be helpful in making decisions, too. Reach out to a trusted loved one to “bounce ideas” if you are open to their perspectives.  Simply be open to receiving.  Seeking quality coaching can also be helpful to gain perspective and clarity, and create a plan that feels heart centred with someone that is outside of the day to day. Talking about your desires and fears can help you gain clarity and make better decisions.

Waiting can be your opportunity to listen to your inner voice and determine whether you truly want what you think you do.

At its core, waiting is about pausing, reflecting, and taking stock of where we are in our lives. It's an opportunity to ask ourselves if we're on the right path, or if we need to make a course correction. Waiting can be a powerful tool for intentional action and personal growth, or it can be a trigger for our inner critic to take over. By tapping into our intuition, we can discern when to wait and when to take the next step, and trust that the universe has our best interests at heart. And like with my dear friends Saylor and Tyler, operating from a place of possibility and ability rather than dis-ability.

Remember, waiting doesn't mean doing nothing. It means being intentional, patient, and open to new possibilities by way of a path of clarity. 

Like Saylor and Tyler, knowing you want the burger, having the right tools and support to get the burger, and doing it while enjoying the magic of life. Using that time to decide exactly what kind of burger you want, and taking each step to get close to it.  Waiting when necessary and using that time to know the burger is on it’s way! 

Interested in exploring your own pace of waiting, desire, and creating a safe path forward?  Reach out to us for a complimentary spark session.  Let’s see what you’re waiting for! 

With Love and Light,