Start being mindful of everything and everyone around you. Waiting for something or someone gives you a great opportunity to be highly observant. While you are waiting, observe the nitty gritty of your surroundings. Feel the atmosphere. Observe things you have never really paid attention to.
I don’t know that it’s an “art form” but I have always welcomed opportunities to wait: at a stop sign, on line at the supermarket, in the doctor’s examining room, etc. It is an opportunity for me to daydream. I have always had a rich inner life, and I enjoy hanging out there.
In this lifetime, I have been consistently quick to feel impatience. I am learning how the senses love stimulation. This is a feedback, the more you stimulate, the more the senses want. This addictive nature of instant gratification has lead me to make choices that don’t bring lasting happiness. Because of my spiritual practice of contemplation, affirmative and devotional prayer, yoga, and meditation I have become more enmeshed in the moment as it is happening. There is eternity in that space. There is no past or present and no need to force patience because I am feeling more and more whole. In yoga philosophy there is a principle, santosha or contentment. The less I want the less I rush the more I feel steady in the moment. This is a work in progress.
I had to remind myself what it meant to make an art of something. I guess at the simplest level, it is doing something so often that I become very good at it. I guess I can become good at waiting when I am curious instead of letting the Warner Brothers reel play in my head.
It’s the same as anything else. I try to
be in the moment. Even waiting in line
at the DMV (which has to be on the
top of most peoples list) can be a
time to take in what’s going on around
you and even a time to connect with
others. I’m not sure if this applies, but it’s
what came to mind.
“Life is what happens when you are busy
making other plans.”
Goodness, when I read this question…I thought ….”waiting as an art”…that cannot be!! I have to say that I cannot think of anyway that waiting could be an art form. Art is also not my forte…there is so much art that I love and respect…but to make waiting into something I love and respect…hmmm…not so much. I do try to be patient and kind when waiting…and I think that is the best I can do. As Joseph mentioned there are so many kinds of waiting….and they all can bring different emotion. Waiting for a loved one to come off a plane, waiting for the arrival of a new baby, waiting for a diagnosis, waiting on the phone for a real person to speak with…all anticipatory….some with excitement- some with fear, some with nerves on edge and anger rising. I will try to just breathe and be in the moment. A great Sunday to everyone!
There are so many waits. The fun ones are greeted with anticipation and excitement. The art in that situation is cleaning, buying a new article, planning, and traveling.
The dreaded ones are greeted with hestitation, fright. The art is to search for calm, peace, balance, and trust.
The Rilke quote about living the questions popped into my head when I read the prompt. Much of our waiting is for certainty — a diagnosis, an arrival or departure, a job, a life direction. We seek answers that either take time to formulate or are beyond our influence. The “art” is to live as fully as we are able in the liminal space of uncertainty.
Here is part of the quote:
Be patient towards all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Live the questions now. — Rainer Maria Rilke
Joseph reminded me of the myriad ways in which we wait. When I read the question, my mind didn’t include these, and he is absolutely right. Maybe 10 years ago, I said to my husband, as we age, we best learn to be fluid and flexible because things are going to be constantly changing. Some things will be better, others not so much. If we can’t go with the flow to some degree, we’ll be frustrated often.
Somewhere, years ago, I read the quote, “Do your work and step back.” I wish I could credit that voice, and I cannot. In a waiting situation, my goal is to do everything I want to and can regarding the outcome, and then detach from the outcome. Then the tail is not wagging the dog. Freedom entails. Most of the time, I can do this, still perfecting the art. It frees me up for what is right in front of me. Peace Everyone. ☮️
Hurry up and wait. Paying exorbitant prices at amusement parks to stand in line. People in their cars in lines at a fast-food drive thru. The only two healthcare industrial complex’s in our valley that ask you to check in 20 minutes early so you can wait 20 more minutes along with the normal 20 minutes you generally wait. Waiting on hold after many minutes of a call tree on what number might just sound like it is the department you may need to speak to. Waiting when the internet connection is not sufficient or non-existent. Some of this waiting is avoidable. Simply do not go there. Other times it is not. Staying in the now, observing others especially small children, reading, watching your breath and only your breath while wait meditating. All can help to sooth the anxious mind, but an art form? Not for this being!
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Start being mindful of everything and everyone around you. Waiting for something or someone gives you a great opportunity to be highly observant. While you are waiting, observe the nitty gritty of your surroundings. Feel the atmosphere. Observe things you have never really paid attention to.
With a big ol’ smile! 😀
I don’t know that it’s an “art form” but I have always welcomed opportunities to wait: at a stop sign, on line at the supermarket, in the doctor’s examining room, etc. It is an opportunity for me to daydream. I have always had a rich inner life, and I enjoy hanging out there.
In this lifetime, I have been consistently quick to feel impatience. I am learning how the senses love stimulation. This is a feedback, the more you stimulate, the more the senses want. This addictive nature of instant gratification has lead me to make choices that don’t bring lasting happiness. Because of my spiritual practice of contemplation, affirmative and devotional prayer, yoga, and meditation I have become more enmeshed in the moment as it is happening. There is eternity in that space. There is no past or present and no need to force patience because I am feeling more and more whole. In yoga philosophy there is a principle, santosha or contentment. The less I want the less I rush the more I feel steady in the moment. This is a work in progress.
I had to remind myself what it meant to make an art of something. I guess at the simplest level, it is doing something so often that I become very good at it. I guess I can become good at waiting when I am curious instead of letting the Warner Brothers reel play in my head.
To enter more into meditation, reading and arts. Thank you. for reminding me in the joy practicing these.
It’s the same as anything else. I try to
be in the moment. Even waiting in line
at the DMV (which has to be on the
top of most peoples list) can be a
time to take in what’s going on around
you and even a time to connect with
others. I’m not sure if this applies, but it’s
what came to mind.
“Life is what happens when you are busy
making other plans.”
Goodness, when I read this question…I thought ….”waiting as an art”…that cannot be!! I have to say that I cannot think of anyway that waiting could be an art form. Art is also not my forte…there is so much art that I love and respect…but to make waiting into something I love and respect…hmmm…not so much. I do try to be patient and kind when waiting…and I think that is the best I can do. As Joseph mentioned there are so many kinds of waiting….and they all can bring different emotion. Waiting for a loved one to come off a plane, waiting for the arrival of a new baby, waiting for a diagnosis, waiting on the phone for a real person to speak with…all anticipatory….some with excitement- some with fear, some with nerves on edge and anger rising. I will try to just breathe and be in the moment. A great Sunday to everyone!
There are so many waits. The fun ones are greeted with anticipation and excitement. The art in that situation is cleaning, buying a new article, planning, and traveling.
The dreaded ones are greeted with hestitation, fright. The art is to search for calm, peace, balance, and trust.
One breath at a time.
Stay present.
The Rilke quote about living the questions popped into my head when I read the prompt. Much of our waiting is for certainty — a diagnosis, an arrival or departure, a job, a life direction. We seek answers that either take time to formulate or are beyond our influence. The “art” is to live as fully as we are able in the liminal space of uncertainty.
Here is part of the quote:
Be patient towards all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Live the questions now. — Rainer Maria Rilke
Joseph reminded me of the myriad ways in which we wait. When I read the question, my mind didn’t include these, and he is absolutely right. Maybe 10 years ago, I said to my husband, as we age, we best learn to be fluid and flexible because things are going to be constantly changing. Some things will be better, others not so much. If we can’t go with the flow to some degree, we’ll be frustrated often.
Somewhere, years ago, I read the quote, “Do your work and step back.” I wish I could credit that voice, and I cannot. In a waiting situation, my goal is to do everything I want to and can regarding the outcome, and then detach from the outcome. Then the tail is not wagging the dog. Freedom entails. Most of the time, I can do this, still perfecting the art. It frees me up for what is right in front of me. Peace Everyone. ☮️
Waiting is a gift. Be present in this moment, open all of your senses and be fully aware of the beauty all around you.
If I add more smiles of anticipation, that could be my art☺️😁😃😉
Hurry up and wait. Paying exorbitant prices at amusement parks to stand in line. People in their cars in lines at a fast-food drive thru. The only two healthcare industrial complex’s in our valley that ask you to check in 20 minutes early so you can wait 20 more minutes along with the normal 20 minutes you generally wait. Waiting on hold after many minutes of a call tree on what number might just sound like it is the department you may need to speak to. Waiting when the internet connection is not sufficient or non-existent. Some of this waiting is avoidable. Simply do not go there. Other times it is not. Staying in the now, observing others especially small children, reading, watching your breath and only your breath while wait meditating. All can help to sooth the anxious mind, but an art form? Not for this being!
So well said Joseph.