Waiting

Have you ever had a day full of errands, so you decide to stop by your favorite coffee shop for a little pick-me-up to make running errands more enjoyable? When you walk in, it looks like you’re the only one in line – everyone else is absorbed in their books, working on their computers, or just relaxing. Perfect! You place your order with ease... all is good.

But then, the person at the back of the store gets called up for their order. They slowly put their book down, get their coffee, and leave. Okay, no big deal... you’re next! Nope, the next person is the girl on her computer. Alright, surely you’re up next now, right? NOPE. Ugh… 15 minutes later, a headache is starting, and the urge to smack someone (or maybe everyone) is becoming harder to ignore. Finally, your order gets called.

Waiting is tough, isn’t it?

Especially in today’s world, where everything happens so quickly. Want a new blouse? Just click a button, and it’s at your door in a couple of days. Need new dishes? Click, click… and they’re on their way. Instant gratification is a pretty nice feeling— at one time or another we all have enjoyed it.

But here’s the thing… Waiting is a skill. And I think it’s especially important when it comes to creativity. Honestly, I’d argue it’s important in life, too, but for today, let’s focus on creativity.

Let me give you an example: I get this brilliant idea for a painting of tulips. I find my favorite photos, sketch the tulips out, and I’m loving what’s happening. I gather the colors that make me feel alive and inspired. My heart’s in it, my mind’s in it—everything is flowing. I make the first few strokes on the canvas… swish, swish, swish. Heart says, “Looks good!” But then my brain chimes in with, “Ewww, that’s the wrong color!” My heart says, “Relax, it’s a process! You might not even see this color by the end.” But my brain? It’s not having it. And just like that... creative block.

There are probably as many ways to deal with creative block as there are people waiting in line at a coffee shop. Some people stand still, stoically waiting. Others chat with anyone willing to engage. Some sigh loudly and frown, making it clear they’re not happy. And honestly, creative block is the same—how we handle it can vary a lot.

But no matter how I deal with it, the truth is…

I have to wait.

I have to wait until my brain and heart come back into alignment.

For me, waiting has become an essential part of my creative process, though it took years to develop that patience. When I was younger, it looked like talking it out with my art friends or family who’d give me their time. Sometimes it involved frustration—frowning, sighing, letting everyone know things weren’t working. I am pretty sure it sometimes involved out right crankiness.

But after all these years of painting, I’ve learned: it always takes time.

I’m going to have to wait.

I’ve learned to trust the process. Sometimes, I just keep painting, remembering that things tend to work out. Other times, I change my task, work on another painting.  A lot of times I take a moment to just notice what I painted, look, experience, see the painting. Occasionally, I know deep down that it’s time to take a break—go for a walk, get some sleep, or give it a couple of days. Eventually that waiting leads to a moment when my brain and heart align and I see the direction for the painting again.

Accepting this has not only helped me in my creative work but also in my personal life. I’ve learned to wait with the people I love, to wait on ideas that need time to grow, to wait on my business to grow, to wait when things are hard and I really want to tell others what to do, to wait for growth in my spiritual journey. Waiting really is a gift.

So now, when I find myself rushing, thinking I should be somewhere faster, and I realize that even though I thought I was the only one in the coffee shop, there are actually 22 people ahead of me, I sit back and wait. I watch what happens, maybe even find someone who needs a smile. Like in my creative process, I’ve learned that waiting, in life, is a gift too. A gift of time to notice what is around me.

I hope the next time you are waiting you can look up and around, look for something beautiful, a chance to smile at someone, and relax….

And remember waiting is a gift.

Share your best trick for waiting in the comments below.