The Courage to Wait
Let's face it—none of us are really good at waiting. Whether it's impatiently honking at the car in front of us the second the light turns green, or avoiding the purchase of something we need because the grocery line looks too long, we all have our ways of showing our frustration. Some might even cut corners, skipping lines in public places just to avoid the inconvenience. But here's the truth: none of these actions make the waiting any easier. We still have to wait, and it can be deeply frustrating. Some might say waiting is an opportunity to practice patience, but what happens when the wait is longer than expected?
For me, this year has felt like an extended waiting room—testing my patience in ways I didn't anticipate. Yet, as much as it's tried my patience, something unexpected happened. It gave me something even greater: courage.
Waiting can stir up anxiety. The uncertainty, the unknowns—they can weigh heavy on your heart, making it hard to keep moving forward. And when you add the voices of others into the mix, it can feel even harder. Often, those around you have their own fears and concerns about waiting—they mean well, but their doubts can seep into your process. When people project their worries onto you, it can make your own path feel even more uncertain.
But here's where the waiting can forge something powerful. In the frustration, in the doubt, in the noise of others' opinions, something stronger is built within you. Courage. It takes courage to trust the process—to hold fast to your vision when others suggest you're wasting your time. It takes courage to remain confident in what you want, even when it feels like you're stuck in limbo.
People will always have something to say about how you should live your life, especially when it seems like you're waiting too long for something to happen. But here's the key: take what they say with a grain of salt. Set your boundaries. Be proactive in a way that works best for you during the waiting. At the end of the day, you can't please everyone—and that's okay. You must first take care of yourself before you can be of any help to others.
The waiting may test you, but it can also refine you. It teaches you to hold on, to stay true to what you believe in, and to have the courage to wait for what's truly meant for you, rather than rushing to satisfy the impatience of the world around you. So, if you're waiting longer than expected, know this: there is strength and bravery in the wait. Keep trusting, keep moving forward, and allow the courage you gain to carry you through.
