That is a very good question. I am waiting right now to hear from my daughter who is missing. The art of it is trying to keep my mind busy and occupied without worry. So here I am trying to find the art of gratefulness to help keep my mind at peace somehow
A few people have already commented on the use of the word “art” here. I have done my share of creative projects, and I always believed that making art was like finding a needle in a haystack. It is a process. Having timelines and collaborators can facilitate that process, but it is almost a form of active waiting, being patient with the process of finding what you want to express and how to best express it.
That said, I have plenty of times that feel like waiting. Just this morning, I had some confusion with my husband had to wait an hour for it. Last night, my little one had trouble falling asleep, and I had to wait with her for over an hour.
This morning—once I did catch my bus—something reminded me of how many years I have been doing certain things (working at my current job, living in my house, taking this bus, being a parent). In many ways, I feel that I am still waiting for big things to happen, but so much already has. Like art, it is a process of discovery.
I have a really hard time not getting instant gratification. I have learned that rash decisions are something that I usually regret. I shouldn’t buy anything without sleeping on it first.
Kind of need to read this question twice. Waiting has been one of the biggest challenges of my live. I used to want everything so fast that just thinking about it make me mad. But in recent years I had discover that waiting is not necessary a passive activity. A lot of things happened while we are waiting: our body regenerates itself and our emotions can be processing. Only when I started to enjoy the process and did activities that I love, I could honor it and be at peace.
I’ve gotten pretty good at waiting. Of course if I’m late for something, then waiting can be very frustrating. My favorite thing to do is talk with people. I have met amazing people while waiting. It’s an art to know just how to approach someone and check out their willingness. As a part time chauffeur, I joke that I am a professional wait-er. Talking with other chauffeur’s, cook’s, waiters, gardeners, and random folks, is usually the best part of the day.
I feel like “waiting” has been a consistent theme in my life.! I eventually, (finally!)realized what God and the Universe was trying to teach me…letting go and being still. I don’t know if I have exactly made waiting an “art” but I know in my heart that I am more accepting and patient with the waiting that continues to be so much of my life story. I am grateful for that awareness.
~Om Shanti friends 🙏
I tried to answer this question. Read what others have shared and give thanks for the info. Waiting provides me with a lesson in the art of BEING. Not easy for me because I was taught the importance of DOING. My impatience in my youth has mellowed with age and the realization that “What is IS.” Desist instead of Resist.
I play with noticing, thanks to having read the book The Art of Noticing and reading the newsletter. One day, for example, I waited for my husband outside a hardware store that’s painted bright blue. I looked at it and said “Blue!” Then I slowly turned in a circle and noticed every instance of blue I could spot. (I must admit I took pictures and tweeted this out so it wasn’t solely a mindfulness moment.) I ended up with 9–everything from my bike bag and the rack I stood next to, to cars and signage and other buildings, to my own jacket and glasses. I’ve done yellow on a walk and that was equally rewarding.
I also sometimes truly look at the people around me instead of letting my eyes slide across as if they’re a glassy surface. Not noticing or seeking, simply looking. So much wonderful variety, so many stories inside them all!
I have made use of waiting time in many different delightful ways over the years. They include:
-pulling a creative project out from my bag, such as knitting
-chatting with a complete stranger
-observing what is around me
-meditation
…and others.
I think perhaps the question is meant to point out that all moments can be precious.
I have also enjoyed chatting with a stranger, sometimes it is easier than talking to someone that I know. There are sometimes rebuffs but usually the other person seems interested in a chat too.
Makes me think of the book, “Thank you for being late” by Thomas Friedman. The author highlights the idea for this book, which includes a welcome analysis of our current times, came to him during the many occasions when his meeting with friends started late. While waiting he conceived of the concept for this book. Indeed waiting offers much needed in-between moments when our minds can wander and discover.
Being a surfer where the waves aren’t super consistent, I know all about the art of waiting! Waiting for the next wave has taught me great patience, and I’ve learned over the years to be grateful for all the beauty that surrounds me and for the opportunity to be sitting in the ocean, catching up with friends, talking a little smack and laughing, seeing a pod of dolphins swim by, noticing the diamonds on the water from the life-giving sun above… I’ve used those lessons in the rest of my life and think I’m pretty good at making waiting an art… most of the time! When I feel anxious from waiting, I lean into my breath. Focusing on my breath brings me back to me.
This indeed a tough one. Reminds me of a thought i prayed for more patience and i found out two days later i was pregnant.. lol. Talk about an life experience that will lean you into patience hard!!!
I waiting is not easy because instant gratification is what i exoect. However i know somethings require waiting. It is tge waiting where important lessons are learned.
Sometimes waiting can reveal something you were not aware of and even literall save your life. Waiting pushes me to be faithful even during the unknown
I know all of this yet waiting is still challenge for me🙄😕
Hmmm what is art….creativity?! How can I be more creative when I am waiting…because it is a challenge for me!! CoVid has helped..we had lines and I always felt grateful because I was going to get into a store to get food and life weirdly seemed more normal (I was out of the house!). While I waited, I counted blessings and sent them. I was really cognizant of whom I was grateful for…food providers, farmers, front line workers etc. When I waited eight hours in the hospital to have my broken foot looked at, I prepared myself. I took knitting (creative?!), a book and podcasts. At the end of the day, I was so grateful for the health care staff, X-ray machine, air boot…well the list goes on. Waiting gave me time to count blessings.
As you wait for the hurricane, I am praying for your safety and that of others. XO
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That is a very good question. I am waiting right now to hear from my daughter who is missing. The art of it is trying to keep my mind busy and occupied without worry. So here I am trying to find the art of gratefulness to help keep my mind at peace somehow
Praying for peace of mind and that your daughter’s safe return home
I pray she’s okay and will be found soon.
Prayers that your daughter is found safe.
My heart goes out to you Robin Ann.
Of late, being mindful of reminding myself that I can do difficult things, like sitting with uncertainty..
Waiting is an invitation to “rest” in this moment. Nothing to do but be.
A few people have already commented on the use of the word “art” here. I have done my share of creative projects, and I always believed that making art was like finding a needle in a haystack. It is a process. Having timelines and collaborators can facilitate that process, but it is almost a form of active waiting, being patient with the process of finding what you want to express and how to best express it.
That said, I have plenty of times that feel like waiting. Just this morning, I had some confusion with my husband had to wait an hour for it. Last night, my little one had trouble falling asleep, and I had to wait with her for over an hour.
This morning—once I did catch my bus—something reminded me of how many years I have been doing certain things (working at my current job, living in my house, taking this bus, being a parent). In many ways, I feel that I am still waiting for big things to happen, but so much already has. Like art, it is a process of discovery.
I have a really hard time not getting instant gratification. I have learned that rash decisions are something that I usually regret. I shouldn’t buy anything without sleeping on it first.
Kind of need to read this question twice. Waiting has been one of the biggest challenges of my live. I used to want everything so fast that just thinking about it make me mad. But in recent years I had discover that waiting is not necessary a passive activity. A lot of things happened while we are waiting: our body regenerates itself and our emotions can be processing. Only when I started to enjoy the process and did activities that I love, I could honor it and be at peace.
I’ve gotten pretty good at waiting. Of course if I’m late for something, then waiting can be very frustrating. My favorite thing to do is talk with people. I have met amazing people while waiting. It’s an art to know just how to approach someone and check out their willingness. As a part time chauffeur, I joke that I am a professional wait-er. Talking with other chauffeur’s, cook’s, waiters, gardeners, and random folks, is usually the best part of the day.
I feel like “waiting” has been a consistent theme in my life.! I eventually, (finally!)realized what God and the Universe was trying to teach me…letting go and being still. I don’t know if I have exactly made waiting an “art” but I know in my heart that I am more accepting and patient with the waiting that continues to be so much of my life story. I am grateful for that awareness.
~Om Shanti friends 🙏
I tried to answer this question. Read what others have shared and give thanks for the info. Waiting provides me with a lesson in the art of BEING. Not easy for me because I was taught the importance of DOING. My impatience in my youth has mellowed with age and the realization that “What is IS.” Desist instead of Resist.
I play with noticing, thanks to having read the book The Art of Noticing and reading the newsletter. One day, for example, I waited for my husband outside a hardware store that’s painted bright blue. I looked at it and said “Blue!” Then I slowly turned in a circle and noticed every instance of blue I could spot. (I must admit I took pictures and tweeted this out so it wasn’t solely a mindfulness moment.) I ended up with 9–everything from my bike bag and the rack I stood next to, to cars and signage and other buildings, to my own jacket and glasses. I’ve done yellow on a walk and that was equally rewarding.
I also sometimes truly look at the people around me instead of letting my eyes slide across as if they’re a glassy surface. Not noticing or seeking, simply looking. So much wonderful variety, so many stories inside them all!
I have made use of waiting time in many different delightful ways over the years. They include:
-pulling a creative project out from my bag, such as knitting
-chatting with a complete stranger
-observing what is around me
-meditation
…and others.
I think perhaps the question is meant to point out that all moments can be precious.
I have also enjoyed chatting with a stranger, sometimes it is easier than talking to someone that I know. There are sometimes rebuffs but usually the other person seems interested in a chat too.
Makes me think of the book, “Thank you for being late” by Thomas Friedman. The author highlights the idea for this book, which includes a welcome analysis of our current times, came to him during the many occasions when his meeting with friends started late. While waiting he conceived of the concept for this book. Indeed waiting offers much needed in-between moments when our minds can wander and discover.
Being a surfer where the waves aren’t super consistent, I know all about the art of waiting! Waiting for the next wave has taught me great patience, and I’ve learned over the years to be grateful for all the beauty that surrounds me and for the opportunity to be sitting in the ocean, catching up with friends, talking a little smack and laughing, seeing a pod of dolphins swim by, noticing the diamonds on the water from the life-giving sun above… I’ve used those lessons in the rest of my life and think I’m pretty good at making waiting an art… most of the time! When I feel anxious from waiting, I lean into my breath. Focusing on my breath brings me back to me.
This indeed a tough one. Reminds me of a thought i prayed for more patience and i found out two days later i was pregnant.. lol. Talk about an life experience that will lean you into patience hard!!!
I waiting is not easy because instant gratification is what i exoect. However i know somethings require waiting. It is tge waiting where important lessons are learned.
Sometimes waiting can reveal something you were not aware of and even literall save your life. Waiting pushes me to be faithful even during the unknown
I know all of this yet waiting is still challenge for me🙄😕
Hmmm what is art….creativity?! How can I be more creative when I am waiting…because it is a challenge for me!! CoVid has helped..we had lines and I always felt grateful because I was going to get into a store to get food and life weirdly seemed more normal (I was out of the house!). While I waited, I counted blessings and sent them. I was really cognizant of whom I was grateful for…food providers, farmers, front line workers etc. When I waited eight hours in the hospital to have my broken foot looked at, I prepared myself. I took knitting (creative?!), a book and podcasts. At the end of the day, I was so grateful for the health care staff, X-ray machine, air boot…well the list goes on. Waiting gave me time to count blessings.
As you wait for the hurricane, I am praying for your safety and that of others. XO
Thank you. Your profile name makes me think of the Grateful Dead song Ripple:)