Tuesday, April 2, 2013

The Art of Waiting

I have developed a disturbing habit.
No, it's not naming and talking to my car. That's not disturbing. That's endearing. Right, Ruby?

I can't seem to just . . . .wait. Wait and do . . . nothing. In line for lunch, in my car (yes Ruby) at a stoplight, the security line at airport, seated in waiting room at dentist office. And what am I doing instead of nothing?
Yep you guessed it - on my phone. What is that about??!! I pick it up like a security blanket, even without a purpose in mind; but believe me, I'll find a purpose once I get in there! It's getting ridiculous.

However I do take some comfort in knowing I'm NOT alone. Look around. At a restaurant today, three of us were waiting for our to-go orders, and each one of us was on our phone, even though we probably only had to wait for a total of one minute.

Technology has ruined something for a lot of us: the art of waiting. Just sitting; or standing, and . . . waiting. Patiently. Looking around. Taking in your surroundings. Letting your mind wander. Letting your imagination take over. Focusing on the present.

I'm really going to make an effort to put that phone down and just BE.