welcome to my world of written word.
by c.h.ha
learning how to wait
July 30th, 2009 by Christine
There are lots of things in my life right now that require me to wait. Patience is not one of my virtues, but as I’ve gotten older, life has thrown a lot of lemons at me where waiting is the only possible reaction.
I was counting the other day how many things are up in the air right now. At the beginning of summer, I had submitted my first short story to go out into the world to some 40 literary journals. I’ve gotten lots of rejections but know these are all part of the writing life.
I’ve put my house on the market. It’s been 2.5 weeks, and we’ve had about 10 showings which I think is promising, but until enticing offers roll in, I’m waiting pessimistically. Even then, I’ve heard stories about people driving to the title company on closing day and finding out the buyer’s bank won’t release funds for the loan.
Along the same lines, JS and I have been shopping around for a new home. Moving is such a hassle that I want to stay in our next house for at least 5 years, maybe forever. It’s supposedly a buyer’s market but even in our price range, we can’t find a decent house that meets our criteria in the location we want to be in.
Even simpler things like wedding planning have got me waiting. I turned in my wedding request form to hold a venue for our ceremony Monday and still have not heard back from the wedding coordinator. Will I have to keep looking around in this Houston heat for a ceremony site?
Ten years ago, I’d probably be pissed off and whiny but I’ve learned to just go with the flow. I think it’s about keeping faith in God that He has the best in store for me. I was reminded of this when JS sent me this a few weeks ago:
- Life isn’t fair but it’s still good.
- When in doubt, just take the next small step.
- Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
- Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick–your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
- Pay off your credit cards every month.
- You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
- Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
- It’s okay to get angry with God. He can take it.
- Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
- When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
- Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up your present.
- It’s okay to let your children see you cry.
- Don’t compare your life to others’; you have no idea what their journey is all about.
- If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
- Everything can change in a blink of an eye. But don’t worry, God never blinks.
- Take a deep breath–it calms the mind.
- Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful, or joyful.
- Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
- It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
- When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
- Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
- Over-prepare, then go with the flow.
- Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
- The most important sex organ is the brain.
- No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
- Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In 5 years, will this matter?”
- Always choose life.
- Forgive everyone everything.
- What other people think of you is none of your business.
- Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
- However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
- Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
- Believe in miracles.
- God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
- Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
- Growing old beats the alternative: dying young.
- Your children get only 1 childhood.
- The only thing that matters in the end is that you truly loved.
- Get outside every day–miracles are waiting everywhere.
- If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d all grab ours back.
- Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
- The best is yet to come.
- No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
- Yield.
- Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
we’re probably looking in the same are you are but closer to 610. even worse as you get closer since that area is a serious flood concern. ugh. best of luck with the search though! hopefully sell quickly.
i’d like to add this one:
46. At least you don’t have a house for sale ON Richmond Avenue! It’ll never get sold.
i agree that you are not a very patient person…though that’s not necessarily a bad thing. sometimes people need a little push, and i know u can provide that (even if it means yelling at incompetent nurses!). quite a long list, eh?!