Livin' on Love...and Hate

I hate waiting.

Do you hate waiting?

I'd rather drive the long way around -- even if it takes the same amount of time rather than sitting in traffic.

I'd rather be cleaning my house than sitting around until an appointment (and I don't like cleaning).

I'd rather run around the block fifteen times that sit in front of my computer for that one anticipated email.

Is there an elegant way to wait?

Or maybe like this?

Or this?

And yet that is so much of life -- especially lately. Too many things are out of our control, so how do you develop patience?

Me? I read books. Or write my books. Or play piano. Or build a puzzle. Legos. Balance Cheetos on my nose... (but only the Simply ones).

There are no easy paths to patience. It's only in practicing it that we gain it.

So this is me. Waiting. The next big thing is coming but who knows when or how. Not holding my breath.

Maybe I'll start a soccer club while waiting. (I wish that was a joke.)

And let's be clear, this isn't passive waiting. This is working my rear end off while hoping for the intended outcome.

The awesome co-hosts for IWSG this month are J Lenni Dorner, Victoria Marie Lees, and Sandra Cox!

Question - Many writers have written about the experience of rereading their work years later. Have you reread any of your early works? What was that experience like for you?

I major cringe when I read most of my old old works. If it was only a decade ago, it's usually okay to "Hey, that was a really inspired turn of a phrase." If it was six months ago, I usually like what I wrote. It's funny how time changes your perspective, but my goal is to always be learning more, so it doesn't matter how much I like something I've written, I will have new thoughts to apply.

What about you. How do you feel about old projects you've completed? Are you waiting on something? How do you keep yourself busy while waiting?

How to Find Happiness A-Z: P

Have you ever hiked a mountain?

I used to live in the foothills of the Rockies, at an altitude of 4,500 feet above sea level. The air was definitely thinner up there. For someone like me, with exercise-induced asthma, it made physical activity that much more challenging--but there was nothing better than a hike up the mountain. To stand on the ledge and look out over the valley... Wow. Talk about perspective. You could see clear out to the lake, and at night? You've never seen stars so bright! Below was a sea of glittering lights, and above, the world was alive with miraculous wonders.

Perspective.

Do you have a vision of who you want to become, or what you want your life to be like? True happiness comes from accomplishing something, being able to climb the proverbial mountain of life, take in the view, and marvel at what's been accomplished. --But it doesn't happen without planning, work and perseverance.

I've been writing my entire life. No, literally. Before I could use words, I created pictures to tell stories. When words were inadequate, I turned to music. All three mediums satiate my need to create, to share, to build the world about me. I submit that this is part of the human condition: the need to create.

So what is it you are creating? Memories? A legacy? Success? And do you make a conscious effort behind them? More importantly, when you hit the pinnacle of your life, what is it you hope to turn around and view?

For me it will be a beautiful family with strong values, friends, memories of service and love, jagged moments of growth and overcoming, a writing career, and significant quantities of cheese.

So how about it? What is most important to you--and what are you doing to make it happen today?