WEDNESDAY WORDS

Happy Hump Day, as they say. Let’s dive into another ‘W’ word!

Today’s word hits me right square in the gut: WAIT

What? Wait? No! I can’t wait. I’m not a patient person.

Wait is an in-between state of being. There is a certain art to standing still, and it’s an art I struggle to embrace.

However, waiting is not all passive. We can still work while we wait. Things don’t always have to come to halt in the interim.

Wait could be called the dopamine of anticipation. Sometimes the wait is often more scientifically rewarding to our brains than the actual reward. A good example would be waiting for someone to arrive, or waiting for vacation to begin. Then when it actually happens, it’s never like you’ve pictured.

Waiting can be used strategically. An example might be waiting twenty-four hours before sending that angry email. Or having the patience to sit on your hands before jumping the gun on an investment or career move.

Have you ever thought about the significance of a ‘Waiting Room?’ What are we waiting for? You have to admit there is a specific energy in hospital waiting rooms, doctor’s offices, dentists, airports, or DMV offices. Look around the room. 90% of the people waiting are passing the time on their phones — just waiting.

I have definitely been guilty of impatiently waiting for something to happen. And I’ve also been guilty of jumping in before it’s time. There are always consequences for not waiting for the right moment.

Let’s face it. Life takes a lot of discernment, doesn’t it?

Let’s chat! Are you a patient waiter? Impatient like me? Ever regretted not waiting for something?

  • Comment (27)
  • I am an impatient waiter unless I have a book to read. Then I’m fine.😂 That’s why I always have a book tucked in my purse!

  • I think I’m more impatient, Jan, but I try to stay calm through the wait. 🙂 Great word! xo

  • Darlene says:

    I’m an impatient waiter and have left appointments if been left waiting too long. I usually bring a book to most appointments if possible. Now some people read books on their phones so that’s OK if they are doing that. I had to learn patience when I moved to Spain because punctuality is not important here.

    • Jan Sikes says:

      That’s an interesting perspective, Darlene. I would imagine things move at a slower pace in some countries, thus no need for so much waiting. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment. I agree about bringing a book to appointments!

  • My son and I were talking about this the other day. I went with him to get a passport, at the USPS. The one person who did that stuff left for lunch. Sean and I saw it as a chance to read. Fast forward to last week. Husby had to renew his passport. Thank goodness the USPS person had him in and out in 20 minutes. He hates waiting!

    • Jan Sikes says:

      I think when we’re faced with waiting, most of us find a way to cope, such as you and your son seeing it as a chance to read. Glad your husband’s wait was much shorter. I’m certain I know no one who actually enjoys the waiting game. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Jacqui. I have to wonder if Neanderthals struggled with waiting as we do in modern times. I’d think not.

  • D.L. Finn, Author says:

    I am not a patient waiter, unless its Christmas. I prefer the waiting part over the day. Great post and word, Jan 🙂

  • John Howell says:

    I hate waiting. I consider it a breakdown of systems. The DMV might be the lone exception. They coud not hire the numbers of people to handle the needs. There could be more automation but in the end DMV waits will always be with us. Doctor office waits are a whole other frustration. There is an appointed time that shoud be honored. They want you there 15 minutes early. The doctor shold be able to meet the appointed time given that requirement. Your essay was entertaining, Jan

    • Jan Sikes says:

      Thank you for your comment, John. I see your point about the DMV. It would be impossible to hire enough people to handle the sheer volume. So, a trip to the DMV should also include a good book to read. 🙂 I have the same thought about doctors. Unless they’ve been called out on an emergency, there is no reason to make folks wait past their appointment time. Rick walked out of a doctor’s office one time because we’d been there two hours waiting. It was ridiculous.

  • Yes, Jan, waiting can make me feel my time is being wasted.

  • Marsha says:

    Waiting is what we learn to do in college and in the service. I don’t mind waiting. I talk to people in the grocery lines keeping entertained and often learning something. I take books and answer comments in the doctor’s office. I file my nails at stop lights or while my husband is driving. I do hate just waiting. My husband loves me to WAIT for him while he is doing something – like taxes. He might not need me there, but he wants me nearby to hand him a pen that is sitting next to his left hand instead of his right.

    It’s like being a dental assistant was for me. Sitting in a chair leaning over a patient against an arm of the stool that kept you from falling into them. As you waited for the dentist to work, your job was to anticipate, by his slightest movement or nod of the head, what instrument he needed next and hand it to him. While you are balanced and watching, you are squirting water into the patient’s mouth and sucking it out with a suctioner. That was my experience in the dark ages of dentistry. The assistants doing it now seem to have less anticipating to do, and more standing.

    The long and short of this expose is that I enjoy waiting with my wait time being free to spend as I want to spend it. 🙂

    This is a a great conversation starter post.

    • Jan Sikes says:

      Thank you for dropping by, Marsha. Your comment about your husband wanting you nearby just in case he needed something cracked me up. 🙂 Interesting to learn you were a dental assistant. I’d imagine it’s much like being an OR nurse in having to anticipate what the doctor might need next and remaining hypervigilant. I like your attitude about spending waiting time with something productive or entertaining. I appreciate you adding to the conversation!

  • Teri Polen says:

    I’m with Priscilla. As long as I have access to a book, I can handle it. I’ve never understood how people can just sit and not read. I had a dream last week that I went on a trip and forgot my bag that had my Kindle, books, and phone (I read on my phone and listen to audiobooks) – it was terrifying!

    • Jan Sikes says:

      I hate it when I forget my Kindle. I honestly don’t think I could read on my phone. Of course, I’d give it a try. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and adding to the conversation!

  • Erika says:

    Oh, yes, waiting is not my favorite thing to do either. But mostly the impatient people have to wait more, to teach them OR do we only recognize it more when we have to wait 😂However, there is so much development in waiting. As you said to calm down. I used to make waiting-times my creative pauses. Like gifted times only for me 😊

  • Annika Perry says:

    Oh, Jan, I’m such an impatient waiter! In hospitals or such I enter into a different zone and try to concentrate on a book or such but it’s not easy! We have A&E waits of up to 15 hours here and that’s hard! Lovely reflections on wait!

  • Waiting…ah, the crux of so much! The anticipation, the tension, the setup for that delicious pay-off. 🙂 Another fine post!

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