Waiting may be the most uncomfortable thing we humans have to deal with. Once we know, we can accept, take action, grieve, we can start making sense of things, move on, rejoice, set ourselves straight.
Until then, with all that is outside of our control, all the many things the mysterious "it" can become, we find the wait unbearable. Mostly, the idea of waiting feels contrary to life. Waiting is not an action, it is a surrender to the fact there is nothing more for us to do - on this topic any way, or nothing that will have tangible, noticeable effect.
Gestation tells us to put our energy and our attention towards self-care - getting rested, fuelled, hopeful, available and towards creating the most favourable conditions for "it" to meet a welcoming party.
Gestation is letting things unfold until it is our turn to play, and by then, be ready.
Between the moment an idea is born, a vision painted, a spark flared, and the moment it is thriving, luxurious, inspiring, enjoyable and connecting, there is a desert of unknown, uncontrollable, fragile, mysterious events that take place.
All we can do is stay with it, choose it over and over again, and trust the process, until it takes shape and our role becomes clear enough that we can just show up to it.
Long before a plan turns into an achievement, a fuzzy dream must turn into verb into walk into plan.
When a vision comes to us -idea, dream, inspiration-, throwing ourselves at it is premature and the perfect way to nip it in the bud.
If instead we let ourselves wander in, changing nothing else, the picture becomes more elaborate and fills our heart. Only when it overflows do we know it is ready to make it’s way into the world.
An intention sets us in motion, our words and our actions seek to manifest the vision, and there, the universe takes over.
Although nothing is clear yet, we have done our part, we are done. Now we go about our other cares if any, and we trust all will come right, somehow.
We could waste our time running scenarios, exchanging predictions and commenting on what we could have done differently, but that wouldn’t change a thing.
Waiting makes sense when thing happen on their own. It is a mistake when the action is on our side, when organic unfolding is not possible, and when we are exposed to harm.
Not knowing what to do doesn’t mean it’s not our turn to play. The indecision and hurdles we face are traps, obstacles we must overcome and not a reason to procrastinate.
Paralysis steals our time, efforts and possibly, chances of success.
Not acting is also a choice. When the pressure heightens, the time is not to change the chosen course of action, it is to await the verdict, the result, and see the thing through. This is when the peril is real and the tables turn.
While nothing is to be done but wait, worrying is unnecessary, because that won't change the outcome more than any other action.
The best course of action is to maintain high spirits, get ready for the action to come, internalise the feeling, message, and energy of the moment and become available to face the upcoming arrival.
We have a plan, an idea of how things are unfolding, a hope for what’s coming next. We can’t help, it is in our make-up, a by-product of our consciousness of time and ability to project.
But nothing ever happens according to plan, again, it is in the make-up of the universe, the organic, ever-evolving nature of life throws us -as we see it- curve-balls, daunting tasks and threatening happenings.
Our task is to welcome those not as intrusions, failings or accidents, but as part of the mysterious unfolding of events, a gift, a place to grow, a resource.
Waiting
Anticipation