The Art of Waiting
Picturing life on Pause
“The pause is as important as the note.” —Truman Fischer
Imagine how many hours we’ve spent in our lifetime… just waiting.
Waiting in line.
Waiting at stop lights.
Waiting for the train to come, or the plane to go.
Waiting for news.
Waiting for certainty.
Now imagine how much of that waiting has been spent being fully present and aware?
Aware as in: being okay with nothing happening. Being okay with delay. Being okay with not-knowing. Being okay with chaos, or stillness.
Hmm 🤔
As I reflected on the question and the photographs below that I chose to shine light on the subject of conscious waiting, I found myself writing this Haiku:
What would happen if we stopped to pause on purpose? What would we see then?
Which of the images below speaks to you?
Which photo characterizes a side of you that comes naturally, and which a side you’d like to cultivate more of?
Ahhh 😌
Picture these…
Pauses with purpose
Photos and captions by Stephanie Bennett Vogt
Waiting openly…
Waiting expectantly, prepared for anything…
Waiting out the ‘storm’…
Watching over… and waiting…
Waiting for guidance…
Waiting patiently…
In case you missed it…
Definitely waiting openly! At 80 I still have much I want to do. My husband has dementia and I’m his primary caregiver. I can still participate in many activities as he can be left alone for short periods of time. Much change will come at this time of our lives, but I know answers will be available when I need them. So I consider this time of life actively waiting openly and with an acceptance that whatever comes we can handle it.
Oh boy! I definitely relate to the man in uniform waiting for the train. I feel like I’m on duty as we care for two elderly mothers. I’d like to be that gal sitting looking on. And this is my now so I accept it and wait with joy and purpose. But gosh I want to sit and look on. Thanks Stephanie for helping me “see”. You’re amazing.