Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Waiting for the Water to Boil

I've heard it said time and again in so many eloquent ways that "waiting" is not a good idea, that we should be moving forward. 

I'm going to be honest. 

Okay, I find it a REAL challenge to move forward when all that is pending is contingent upon the thing for which I'm waiting. Now, I understand the point. But consider for a moment the reality that the water MUST boil before dinner can be cooked. It just goes in that order. Otherwise you're gonna be eating raw noodles, which might sustain life, but could also be very disgusting. So while I understand the truth that we can't stop progressing while we're waiting for something, the 'progression' here seems more like a filler than I think it should. What I mean is, does that waiting for the water to boil time leave anyone else feeling like they are actually filling their time with other, less vital dinner prep like chopping vegetables or setting the table because the real business can't move forward until that water boils?

Now. I understand that spiritual progression, that life progression, that the development of skills and talents and QUALITIES can actually be blessed and helped along by such a period of waiting for water to boil. I get it. Mentally at least, I get it. But inside, honestly, I just feel... hungry. Like I want dinner now and it is making me irritable. (please tell me I'm not the only one who feels grouchy when I'm hungry!) I know that irritability is irrational and counterproductive... but it seems to be an ever-simmering (THERE'S a pot that doesn't take long to heat up!) emotion at the back of my mind. If I slow down the other dinner prep, it is right there ready to whistle and steam and spill over into the rest of my day. I guess I'm really struggling to keep my hunger from affecting my mood. For some reason it is worse in November and December. 

I just try to keep up the hope and faith that when the timing is right, things will work out. The trick is to be happy and content even while "waiting for the water to boil" so to speak. I find it helps to not get my hopes up, but then, that is kind of a downer thought. So I just try not to think about it at all (don't watch the pot?) and go on with life. Again, I'm sure it will happen when it is the right time. 

But in the mean time, will someone order me a pizza? Because I'm tired of waiting...