Work the Wait

Has a beautiful day ever come your way, only to regret the things you didn’t do when it was raining?

Unless I’m on vacation, this happens to me on most nice days. There’s usually a pile of laundry that I didn’t do when it was raining because I opted for a lazy day activity. Then the sun comes out and instead of enjoying it, the laundry – or whatever else I didn’t do – clouds my thoughts.

Life is like this.

There are lulls when not much is going on. For example, my husband and I raised five kids. The youngest is 16 and very social and the older kids are out in the world adulting. What used to be constant hustle and non-stop activities has turned into many quiet nights.

I’m adjusting.

Sometimes I’m not inspired to do much more than just play a game or scroll on my phone…for too long. There’s no urgency around doing other things, so other things get pushed aside. I know there will be hectic times again. Maybe we’ll have a few weddings, new people to call family, unexpected opportunities, or new chapters in our careers. But for now, we’re in a quiet lull.

Will I be ready?

While figuring out what I want to come next, I’m realizing that the doom scroll is not going to prepare me for it. So, while I’m waiting, I may as well put in the work.

Focusing on nutrition, movement, mental, and emotional health prepares me for almost anything life might bring. I love writing, so honing that skill brings me joy while also preparing for a hopeful opportunity. Balancing everyday life while continuing to save money for the future is another way to prepare. Not just think about where I want to be, but work on becoming the person who’s ready when the opportunity comes.

Will you be ready?

What do you want in your life? If it magically showed up tomorrow, would you be prepared for it?  What are you doing while you wait?

Working through the wait will be worth the wait. We likely have opportunities in front of us more often than we think, but because we aren’t ready, we’re not looking. Wouldn’t it stink if the thing you are dreaming about finally showed up, only to realize you weren’t ready because you spent the waiting wishing instead of preparing?

The wait is your time to get ready. Even if “it” never comes, maybe something unexpected, something even better will show up in its place.

The wait isn’t wasted time. Work the wait.

“I will prepare and someday my chance will come.” Abraham Lincoln