What to do while you wait for it

Your first question might be, well, what do you mean when you say wait for "it" - what's IT? 

It can be anything - a boyfriend, a girlfriend, a phone call, an interview, a solution, an idea. Think of what you feel like you're waiting for right now, and that is what is "it" for you today. 

So what to do while you wait? 

1. Ask yourself, is there anything I can realistically do to speed up this process? Sometimes, the answer may very well be, yes. After all, life isn't all about having things happen to us; rather it's about us making things happen. Getting results usually involves taking some sort of action. So maybe you will be able to shorten the waiting process. Maybe getting the things you want is a matter of you actually doing more. So before you do anything else, ask yourself this and then give yourself a thoughtful and honest answer.

2. See the waiting as an opportunity. Okay, so assuming that all action relating to getting what you want has already been taken, let's shift our perspective on your waiting time. Because if you can't do anything about it, you might as well change your attitude. 

I truly believe that not only does everything happen for a reason, but that the best things in my life happen right after moments of feeling overwhelmed, uncomfortable and/or confused. So for me, personally, the "worse" the situation, the more that I know deep down that something awesome will show up as a result. I think part of that, however, involves, inviting that positive aftereffect as a possibility in your life. 

So instead of being pissed about having to wait, see it as an opportunity for something good to come from it. Maybe, if you're sitting in traffic, it's an opportunity to return phone calls that have been on your to-do list for far too long. If you're waiting on line, that the person standing near you could end up being a significant person in your life. And if you're waiting for that special someone, maybe there is more for you to learn about yourself before you invite someone else into your life.   

3. See waiting as an opportunity to trust. I used to think that feeling in control prevented feeling afraid, but I've recently revised that theory. Instead, I now believe that the FAITH is the antidote to fear. And interestingly, faith is all about *releasing* control and BELIEVING that everything is and will be okay. Because that's why waiting bothers us after all, right? That we doubt that everything is and will be okay - if we knew deep down in our guts that what we are waiting for is without a doubt on its way, I think we would all calm down, and embrace the waiting process.   

Think about it. We don't freak out after we've ordered something at a restaurant. Because we *know* that the food is on its way to us. Or we don't get all panicked after we order something online, because, again, we *know* that it's on its way to us. It's only when we doubt if what we want will *ever* show up, that we enter panic mode. It's also, when we don't know exactly when it will arrive. It's the lack of certainty and control that really gets to us. 

So even if it feels like you're playing pretend in the beginning, start telling yourself that whatever it is you want is DEFINITELY on its way to you. And as to when it's coming? Tell yourself that it's coming at the perfect time, whenever that may be. 

Trust. Have faith. Breathe it out. Because, as I said, you can't change the situation, but you can definitely change your attitude, and as a result your overall experience.