A Life Of Waiting
How many times have you said these things? I can't wait until I'm an adult! I can' wait until I'm older!I can't wait to get to high school, college, graduate...I can't wait until I'm 21 I can't wait to have a boyfriendI can't wait to get marriedI can't wait to have childrenI can't wait to get that promotion..... As you get older the "I can't wait turns into something else. Other people are waiting to see your life transform. Maybe its so that you can share experiences and stories (that's the positive spin on it - but not everyone is for you). It doesn't help that when I walk into certain premises the "expectations of other people in their waiting" are reinforced.All too often I hear, "When are you getting married?" - excuse me but I can't propose to myself."When are you having children?" - see the above."It's time to change jobs." - Are you hiring and willing to pay well? "You should buy a house." - I believe in no debt, and I'm working my way out of it."You Should move to get a better job." - Family is important to me, If I move it has to be worthwhile."You should go back to school." ..... But should I? Will you give me the funds to go? Will you create the time in my schedule for me to attend? I am an advocate of education - it doesn't always have to be in the school system. Besides the world is changing, technology is emerging, yet it seems that our systems are not evolving.
One of the best quotes I've heard while indulging in youtube videos is this:
Opinions are like belly buttons, everyone has them but they don't really matter.
This dialogue that I constantly hear translates into a life of waiting. I don't believe that life is intended to be lived that way. It causes anxiety, unnecessary stress, and you never know what you may be imposing onto other people. I believe that life should be lived to its fullest. It should be filled with lasting experiences. People need to learn to develop their own thoughts. They need to understand who they are - and yes I realize people are "developing later" i.e. moving out of their parents home later, having children later - just every thing extended later in life.Rather than impose on people see where their hearts and minds are, see what their dreams and aspirations are. Get to know them.While hoping and expecting for certain life experiences is a good thing, I personally don't need the constant reminder that I am aging and that "time is running out". Yes life is short, but its also life-long.