The Discomfort of Waiting
The ego, or mind, is inherently uncomfortable with waiting.
It craves certainty and control, urging us to take action at every opportunity.
Society reinforces this mindset, bombarding us with messages that emphasize the
importance of doing something rather than simply waiting. But what if we
challenge this notion?
Waiting can be uncomfortable. It brings us to a place of
uncertainty, a liminal space between possibilities. This space is a threshold
where we have the potential to go in any direction. It can be disorienting and
unnerving, causing us to rush through it as quickly as possible. However, if we
can learn to slow down and embrace the discomfort, something remarkable
happens.
Embracing the Liminal Space
Instead of rushing through the liminal space, we can choose
to linger and explore. It is in this space of uncertainty that we can truly tap
into our inner wisdom and intuition. By slowing down and fully experiencing the
liminal space, we allow the landscape to gradually become clearer like our
eyes adjusting to a darkened room. We start to use all of our senses to
navigate the maze of life.
In a society that values bright lights and obvious signs,
waiting can be seen as a sign of weakness or indecisiveness. But in reality,
waiting requires a different set of skills, and a willingness to trust the process
and allow things to unfold naturally. It is in this space of waiting that we
can cultivate patience and develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and the
world around us.
The Timing of Life
There is a proper timing to all things, even if it doesn't
align with our own desires and expectations. Sometimes, the timing we want is
not the timing we need. There are subconscious processes at play, both within
ourselves and in the external world, that prepare us for the next step. It is
important to recognize that our own agenda may not always be in alignment with
the greater flow of life.
If we look back on our own lives, we can often see a
pattern. There are decisions we force, driven by our own impatience and need
for control. And then there are times when we just know what to do, without
even thinking about it. These moments of deep inner knowing arise when we allow
ourselves to wait and listen to our intuition.
Trusting the Inner Knowing
Waiting doesn't mean being certain of the outcome or lacking
fear. It means trusting the deep sense of inner knowing that guides us, even
when our thoughts and fears try to pull us in different directions. Just like
migratory birds that know when it's time to leave, we too have the capacity to
cultivate that inner sensitiveness and know what to do when the time is right.
To tap into this inner knowing, we must unhook from the
constant chatter of the mind. While thinking has its usefulness, we often take
it too far, trying to predict the future based solely on our hopes and fears.
We seek validation from others, hoping they have the answers for us. We rely on
external measures and expectations to guide our decisions. But there is a
better way.
The Power of Active Waiting
Waiting actively is about keeping our inner senses tuned to
urges and intuitions. It is about taking stock of what we know and, more
importantly, what we don't know. It is about taking action when it feels right,
even if it seems unrelated to the question at hand. Waiting actively means
expecting that an answer will come, trusting that we have the inner certainty
to reach our goals.
Waiting actively is not the same as dithering or
procrastinating. It is about discerning the difference between fear, which
holds us back from doing something we long to do, and misgivings, which warn us
when a decision that looks good on the surface is not right for us. By waiting
actively, we can avoid the trap of talking ourselves into something that deep
down we know isn't right.
A Lesson in Patience
Sometimes, we need to experience the consequences of not
waiting. Looking back on our lives, we can recall moments when we ignored our
intuition and rushed into decisions. Perhaps it was a relationship that later
proved to be ill-suited, or a career choice that left us unfulfilled. These
experiences serve as reminders that waiting is not a sign of weakness but a
valuable lesson in patience.
If we have to talk ourselves into something, it may be a
sign that we should wait instead. More will be revealed if we give it time.
Ignoring the voice in our heads that urges us to make a decision now, we can
choose to linger in the liminal spaces and see what becomes clear as we sit
with uncertainty. Trusting our gut more than our head, we open ourselves up to
the right course unfolding at the perfect time.
Conclusion
Waiting is not about passivity or indecisiveness; it is an
active and deliberate choice. By embracing uncertainty and cultivating
patience, we can tap into our inner wisdom and intuition. Waiting allows us to
align ourselves with the natural flow of life and make decisions that are in
alignment with our true desires and purpose. So, the next time you find
yourself at a crossroads, take a moment, breathe, and trust in the power of
patience.