Waiting: While Living the Nightmare

 Most often, people say “Patience is a virtue”, “it pays to wait”, and etcetera, etcetera. But I wonder, how many people really do have this virtue? How many of us really are too patient to wait when life is so short and everything can go without prior notice.

I’m in this part of my life when I have no choice but to wait for the “most-awaited” moment to come. It’s that time of the year that I can’t move, it’s fixed - it’s the end of my work contract.

Imagine being tied on something you’re not happy anymore. Living in a place where freedom and independence are quite limited. I’m sure not everyone can relate to me, especially those who experience “living the dream”. But yes, on my part, I’m on the other side of it. Let’s say, I’m "living the nightmare”.

Nevertheless, this ‘nightmare’ has taught me things I’ll surely disregard when I am placed somewhere not here. After all, this didn’t start as a nightmare. It was a dream that turned into a “nightmare”.

So, now I’m thinking of making something out of this. Since I won’t be able to turn the clock manually, faster nor skipping some of its days, might I as well make this count! So by the time the “most-awaited ending” comes, I have done something that my future self will thank me for.

Here are some of the things that I suggests to people who, like me, are waiting for that big day to come:

1.    Look at the glass as half full.

Yes, you might be far from the big day, but you’ve started. As a matter of fact, every day that passes leads you closer to that time. The day maybe slow and boring, but no matter what, it will pass. You are nearing the end.

2.    Dream and dream big.

This may sound absurd. You’re feeling down and all, and here I am telling you to dream. Oh well, it’s because positivity can go a long way. Your thoughts can become things. Your dreams will drive you to continue the journey, no matter how difficult it is. The mind is so powerful that whatever you put into it will lead the entire human body to do something that will fulfill the picture you created in your mind. So go on, dream of that big salary, huge house, extravagant celebrations, wonderful people, and fat bank account. In due time, your dreams will become a reality.

3.    Treat it like its planting time.

Planting means you put in something that will eventually grow into something useful. Use this waiting time for you to learn more interesting stuffs. Gather as many books as you can, read them on your free time and be amazed of the many things that you used to ignore. Enhance your knowledge, who knows, you’ll be needing that on your next adventure. That is when “harvesting time’ will take place.

4.    Learn a skill.

Drawing, sketching, cooking, baking or photography. There are a lot to learn every single day, and you don’t have to spend a lot. Surf the web, learn from video tutorials, listen to experts, let a friend or a co-worker teach you how to do it and apply the things you learned. Of course, it won’t be great at first try, but with constant practice, I’m sure you’ll get it!

5.    Take care of yourself.

I agree, waiting is depressing. Comfort food is something we can run into when this happens. But hey! This should not be the cause of you not taking good care of your health. In fact, you should give yourself importance more than anything else. It is only yourself that you can rely on. Stretch, move, dance, and sweat all the negativity out! Let those waiting time be spent building your body into the new, healthier and fitter you.

6.    Embrace this time.

I guess, we just have to accept it - embrace it. It’s waiting time and it can be useful. A day will come and go no matter how we spend it. So why not let the ball roll into your side. Do something you love to do while you have the time to do so. Don’t just stay in bed all day and think of how miserable your life is. Remember, this is not your ending. You are waiting, which means there is something exciting to look forward to.

7.    Thank the Big Man up there.

But why? Why? Because everything is from Him. The best days of your life, the moments you were very happy, the days you feel so good, the occasions that you have celebrated, the things that you have achieved, even the worst days of your life, the days you get so bored or sad, the days you have to wait and feel left behind. Everything is from Him.

The moment you open your eyes in the morning, start giving thanks. For though He allows you to wait today, He surely will repay this with more than what you have prayed for. Remember: He has made everything beautiful in His time (Ecclessiastes 3:11). When your time comes, in that most-awaited ending, you, too, will harvest something beautiful and abundant.

At this point, you may be “living the nightmare”. But I guess, this is the worst that can happen. After this, everything will just be better. From here, there is no other way but up. Use this waiting time to build yourself and ready your mind for something bigger and brighter - that moment when you are “living the dream”.