The Courage Called Waiting

We wonder why we get so bothered. The beauty of waiting comes after the fact. You’ll experience many opportunities to choose patience versus agitation when waiting is the burden of the hour. Recently, I received an email from the DSPS (Department of Safety and Professional Services) in Wisconsin telling me they had no record of my application for my LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) my SAC (Substance Abuse Counselor) in training forms. Knowing COVID has already delayed so much, I rejoiced when I opened the email, only to sit stunned. What did the school forget to do? I wondered.

After two emails the school responded and said they will resend the forms. Another six weeks of waiting is now underway.

When my heart sank, I noticed doubt creeping in and the way my heart skipped a beat bothered me quite a bit. Taking a deep breath I counted my blessing, practiced owning my frustrations and anger so honesty stayed true. I think proceeded to step into the plan and move forward.

Here are a few ideas to consider when you, too enjoy the journey of waiting.

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1. Stop pressure on perfection.

Perfect scenarios come with imperfect moments. Enjoy and embrace the moments. Soon, you will be past the experience so stop pressuring yourself to be more than who you are in the given moment.

“The pursuit of excellence is gratifying and healthy. The pursuit of perfection is neurotic, frustrating, and a terrible waste of time.” ~Edwin Bliss

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2. Acceptance rules.

Radical acceptance frees you up from carrying more than you are capable. It puts into place the exact plans with the idea you may or may not get exactly what you bargained for. It’s okay to feel disappointed and still accept the outcome you didn’t expect.

“Radical acceptance is the willingness to experience ourselves and our lives as it is.” ~Tara Bach

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3. Let go of whining.

You are not five years old. You are an adult and have passed the stage of the pitiful whiner of your youth. Rise above the negativity by stopping your thought pattern which emphasizes the oh woe is me spirit. You may not like something however, you can accept it with grace and move on. There is no shame is letting go.

“What you are supposed to do if you don’t like a thing is to change it. If you can’t change it, then change the way you think about it. Don’t complain.” ~Maya Angelou

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4. Find your purpose.

The meaning we place on circumstances and events ends up becoming the motivation behind our demise or our progress. In service to others we can remove the selfish tendencies and build a worldview of other centered rather than self-centered. Once we know the why we can then grasp the how and the when.

“Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’.”
~Viktor E. Frankl

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These four small steps helped me process the ugly scenario my email presented to me. I was able to turn a nasty dreaded moment into a learning tool for my clients showing them in real-time what I do to process hard times. I demonstrated courage.

You might feel empowered after you settled yourself into problem-solving mode. Even realizing you could change your approach which potentially could help so many see your resilience and courageous spirit under fire from life’s unrelenting events.

You are worth more than the moments of frustration. Be a lighthouse for other’s courage.

~Just a thought by Pamela

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This post was previously published on Medium.

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