Column by Jim Bishop
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So tired, tired of waiting
Tired of waiting for you . . .
– The Kinks (1965)
Better late than never, but I think I’m finally learning to anticipate times when I’ll be playing the waiting game.
Does it surprise anyone to know that I don’t fare thee well in such settings? Never have, probably never will, but I’m getting better at following the Boy Scouts’ motto, “Be Prepared,” when these situations arise. At least, I now carry a notepad wherever I roam.
At the moment, I’m in the appropriately-named waiting room at my doctor’s office, that after waiting in a larger reception area for my name to be called for a follow-up visit two weeks after my annual physical. I was somewhat anxious to hear the results of extensive blood work that was part of the exam.
Yes, I’m at that stage of life where certain terms have become ingrained in my vocabulary – “age spots,” “prostate,” “colonoscopy,” “elevated triglycerides,” “short term memory disorder” and . . . I forget what else.
Ah, the ravages of the aging process. Avoid it if you can, but neither do I care for the alternatives.
I don’t wish to sit around, waiting for the window of opportunity to open (more than likely it’ll be stuck and needs to be pried) but I “shutter” to think what little movement occurs toward self-improvement or meeting personal goals when I fall into a rut of immobility or paralysis.
It’s easy to let others put me into a holding pattern.
Flip on your “skepticism alert” any time someone prefaces a statement or request, such as a caller doing a “brief survey,” with, “This will just take a minute of your time.” Yeah, right.
Too much time can be spent waiting for someone to supply information or other background material needed to carry out my work-related tasks, then, once finally obtained, often I’m expected to make up the time lost.
Committees are among the worst culprits, especially when the meetings start late because members haven’t shown, or deliberations grind to a halt while waiting for information needed for responsible decision-making.
In certain areas I’ve waited too long to move from contemplation to action – retirement planning with a trusted counselor (my wife and I have finally implemented but wish we’d done sooner), updating my funeral service plans, including writing my own obituary, waiting to do any travel until the stars (and our bank account) are in proper alignment and neglecting my teeth and gums before calling on my friendly neighbor periodontist.
In the midst of reflecting on the pros and cons of waiting, I “happened” upon a scripture passage from the Old Testament book of Lamentations.
Following a lengthy recitation of personal afflictions, the speaker – many attribute authorship to the prophet Jeremiah – does a fast turnabout and declares, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lam. 3:24-26).
That counsel helps me put this issue into broader perspective.
Waiting has its benefits, hard as that is for me to acknowledge. Many times, acting quickly, impulsively, may seem the best route to take, only to discover later that I should have opted for the pause that refreshes,
allowing a period of reflection, seeking others’ counsel in exploring more options.
I was still jotting thoughts on my notepad when the nurse ushered me into a small room, took my vitals – I was three pounds lighter than just two weeks ago (thanks to worry?) – then led me further into the inner recesses of the medical complex to await the doctor’s appearance.
Dr. Roussel came in and reviewed his recommended change to another medication for my blood pressure as well as the blood test results. It was worth the wait – and cost of the procedures. Everything looks good, he said. The only area of concern: I need to work at lowering my triglyceride count – you know, significantly reducing intake of such gastronomic delights as red meat, cheese and sugar-laden baked goods.
I left the office with that “life is good” feeling, even if it is rarely delivered on a silver platter to him who sits and waits.
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