(From the Archive Sept. '08)I wouldn't imagine there are too many people around who have not heard the phrase, "I can't wait," uttered many times in their life by others, if not themselves. Of course it is usually followed by a certain event or circumstance.
"I can't wait until I get my raise."
"I can't wait to get out of debt."
"I can't wait to get you home tonight."
You get the picture.
The funny thing is, if you ever really gave any attention to the validity of this phrase, you could almost laugh at how popular it is. If you really observe it, you will realize that the only thing the person expressing the phrase, will do, ... is wait. They are actually waiting as they are verbally saying that they can't.
'I can't wait' is more accurately expressed as, 'I don't want to wait.'
'I don't want to wait' is more accurately expressed as 'I don't want the present moment. I don't want right now. I don't accept this reality; I want that one.' This is why people do not enjoy being anxious.
Anxiety is a form of resistance to what is. It is a denial of circumstances. It is a rejection of the present. It is self inflicted stress. It is not a favorable feeling.
The good news is; it is completely avoidable. The only reason that a person feels that they ‘can't wait’ is the attachment to an idea of how they want things to be.
If you can stop thinking about how you want it and enjoy the gift that the present truly is, the anxiety is gone.
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5 comments:
I really agree with you that when I let go of the outcome and enjoy the ride life becomes so sweet.
Good Post. Thanks
Glad you are back with us. Missed you.
Well, humanness strikes again, the anonymous above is me. Don't know how that happened. :)
Ah yes, anticipation. Often we lose the moment we are in while anticipating whatever is to come. And yet, I have found I can be in both places, so to speak. I have often been very alive in my experience and part of the aliveness comes from the excitement of what is next. Like for instance, preparing a dinner for friends - I am very happy in the kitchen and very involved in the prep, and also I am thinking of those that will partake - considering them, if you will, it all sort of blends in to one total experience. Does this make sense to you?
And as a side note, some times we use sayings like "What's up?", which we are not really saying 'what's up' as in the sky, stars, moon, etc, we actually mean what is going on in your world?, so sometimes phrase like "I can't wait" simply refer to an excitement about something, which I think is a good thing, a natural thing, as well. Human nature.
Love Gail
peace.....
*Anne
Thank you Anne. Always good to see you. And the ride does indeed get sweeter when the destination isn't put on a pedestal.
*Gail
I know exactly what you mean. We can cheerfully look forward and be present at the same time. 'Enthusiasm' is a good word for it.
In contrast, I was speaking more of 'anxiety'. This is stressful instead of stress relieving. "I can't wait," can be used by both a highly enthusiastic person and a highly anxious person. It is up to us to determine if we are feeling a peace or a feeling of stress over the situation. But you make an excellent point. Words can often be ambiguous and leave us with multiple meanings.
Greetings C.Om
Always a great post and point well noted. Loved your explanation to Gail. It is so amazing your great responses. As always I know it is from THE SOURCE.
Blessings
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