How to Wait Through Life
I have had to learn how to wait in life.
I must admit of scenarios where I wanted instant answers. But, over the years I realized that you learn to wait as you wait.
I enjoyed my school life, the 8 years of primary education, 4 years in high school, and 4 more at the university. This is a process many follow without questioning. With a few exemptions here and there.
The wait is a process many have withstood with grace with the hope of a bright future. right?
And true eventually good things come to those who wait. Graduation yey! Celebration of the end of a process.
But,
This isn’t the end but the beginning of life where waiting is practiced all over again.
Patience is a virtue and the only way to develop is through discomfort, adversity, and stress. Many situations in our lives help us practice waiting; It’s practical, you learn on the job.
Is waiting for a good thing?
“Patience leads to abundant understanding, but impatience leads to stupid mistakes.” Proverbs 14:29.
Even science backs waiting. An experiment was done with 400 undergraduates. Those who were patient with others also were hopeful and more satisfied with their lives. Meaning they have a better quality of life.
Why do we at times have to wait?
Waiting is key in developing a good character. In a world full of instant fulfillment notion you need to learn how to wait.
What are some of the things people wait for?
- To graduate
- To get the right job
- To get opportunities
- To get married
- To get finances to invest or build or go to school
- To get children
- To accomplish a goal
- To get a return on an investment
- To get clarity
- To get an organ donor match
- To get better health
- Helps us achieve our goals
- To gain expertise in skills among many others…
Imagine waiting out life’s hardships. Think of the unemployed person who persistently fills out job applications. Or the cancer patient waiting for her treatment to work. Waiting is key otherwise one may reside to defeat and quick fixes.
Waiting to achieve any milestone requires inner strength and a strong will. To bear the stress, frustrations, and day-to-day hassles that require good judgment. And after waiting the rewards are satisfying. Going through the process helps others grow and achieve the same milestones.
Your growth can’t be taken away from you! Even if your world tumbles you can rebuild. You know better what it takes to build in the first place.
Better Health
Patient people enjoy better health! They are wired differently because they don’t sweat the small stuff.
Patient people tend to experience less depression and negative emotions. Their ability to cope with upsetting or stressful situations means a healthy life. They also are mindful and feel more gratitude. Contentment with their present circumstances, and have hope for a better future.
Mental and Physical Health
Impatient people tend to overthink and overprocess everything. Their nature tends to affect their health and especially mental health. When your mental health is affected, stress and depression affect how you feel and what you do.
Patience is practiced daily. by dealing with issues of life as they unfold. Knowing in spite of prevailing situations tomorrow will present better outcomes.
Better Quality of life (Friends and mentors)
Research shows that patient people tend to be cooperative, empathic, fair, and forgiving. These qualities are enviable. For one to connect with friends, colleagues, and communities around us.
No one wants to hang around negative and impatient people who quit on their commitment on a wimp.
Habits that will help you grow your patience
Be a student of History
Learn from others, the history is rich and has many stories of the waiting process. . In the bible, the story of Abraham and Sarah waiting for a child is one that is mind-boggling and encouraging. Eventually, we see that God does grant our heart’s desire.
In business, waiting is key to building a brand and becoming profitable. Business and life, in general, need the stamina to stand the test of time. Remember easy come easy go!
Practice delayed gratification
Waiting can only be practiced by waiting. Teach yourself to wait, For example, if you are trying to eat healthy foods you might crave a cake or ice cream. Practice rewarding yourself on Sunday afternoon after delaying the cravings throughout the week. If you are successful in delaying your craves for a week soon you will find that you can push it to two weeks or even a month. This can apply to any area of your life you can control your urges or addictions by daily practice of waiting. Start with a day or two and build on it.
Plan your day
With a plan for your day allow every other thing to wait. A good plan captures what you are supposed to do from morning to evening. Avoid fitting into people’s plans, if you didn’t plan for an activity or someone allows it to wait or pass.
Practice mindfulness
Being mindful requires you to think before acting or reacting. Mindful people take time to make decisions. Always look at all possible outcomes before responding.
You can’t be mindful and impatient. Practice mindfulness today to build your patience muscle.
Get positive affirmations
Words are powerful and they can make or break you! You have probably heard someone confess that they aren’t patient. Your confessions become your possessions. What is your self-talk like? What do you tell yourself?
If you want to grow your patience and character in general practice telling yourself. “I am Patient.” “ I will graduate.” “I will get my dream job.” I’ll start my company.”
So far, you have seen that waiting is a good thing. Your life will gain new meaning when you understand that life will require you to wait for a thing or two. At times we don’t get what we want. This doesn’t mean we don’t continue being hopeful.
Eventually, all things work for our good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
What are you waiting for?
Build your waiting muscle and wait for better things lay ahead!