Finding Peace While Waiting in Line
Do you find yourself getting frustrated or aggravated when you have to wait in line at the grocery store, Department of Motor Vehicles, the post office, etc or when you find yourself stuck in traffic? There are numerous times in a day/week that we find ourselves in a line or stuck in traffic or waiting for someone to show up for an appointment. This is part of our everyday modern life, yet many of us allow ourselves to become frustrated and aggravated when we find ourselves stuck, waiting for a line to move forward, for the traffic to move or for someone to show up.
For some of us, this frustration and aggravation that we feel is a conditioned response. Even when we are in no particular hurry, we still find ourselves getting upset over waiting, over the fact that something as impeded our day for a few extra moments.
The reality is, we do not have to become frustrated and aggravated, we can in fact choose to remain calm, peaceful and enjoy this experience as part of our daily journey.
When I find myself in a situation where I have to wait in line, wait on somebody or get stuck in traffic;
- first I accept the situation as what it is
- I then acknowledge that choosing to get upset over the situation will not make the line go any faster or make the traffic move any faster
- I then choose to become the observer
- I first observe myself, turn within and observe what I am feeling
- I may at this point to choose to enjoy this moment of slowness in my day. I embrace the opportunity to be still
- I observe what is going on around me, I watch people, I observe how they are reacting, what personal interactions are happening around me. If waiting in line, I often will say something to someone nearby to start a conversation. I am aware of the opportunity for lessons to learn from where I am at that moment.
I choose to be present, I choose to embrace the now and not project how this moment of waiting may impact my near future.
I choose peace, I choose awareness, I choose joy!
I personally have met some very wonderful souls while I was waiting in line. I have had great conversations and have walked away with many lessons. Remember, everything happens for a reason, there are no chance meetings, there are no coincidences. Even waiting in line or getting stuck in traffic is purposeful.
It’s so easy to fall into the trap of worrying over lost time. Well, there really is no time! So what are we worrying about? How can we lose time when there is no time to lose?
Sometimes when I find myself so frustrated about waiting in line — I let someone go in front of me. It seems to put things in perspective — people are a bit more important than MY time.
Sophia,
Excellent point, clock time is only an illusion. Very good thoughts!
Rjlight,
This is a great suggestion! Thanks for adding value to this conversation.
ooooh, I Love waiting in line…especially at the grocery store…I people watch, look for signs, think about stuff, practice deep breathing, or read one of those trashy magazines they have displayed all over the checkout lanes.
Also, when I notice the cashier, or if I am in a restaurant the waiter/waitress seems a bit cranky, I use their names (usually found on their employee nametags) and engage them in some direct conversation…their mood usually changes instantly I guess because someone has recognized them as an actual person, not a robotic nameless faceless worker?
But (hopefully) that in turn improves their interaction with the next customers in line, or at their table and yes, you never know who you might meet in line.
Have a wonderful day!
Meredith,
Thanks for adding such value and wonderful thoughts to this conversation. It is a great idea to remember the cashier and attempt to interact. I too always try to use their name. Sometimes they are so suprised!
I think that waiting is in line is an opportunity to hear God speak uninterrupted. So often times, answers come to me while waiting.
I do feel that when people talk on cell phones in line, they cause a chain reaction of irritated Souls who would rather have a few minutes of inner peace.
It was great reading your blog. I was always in a hurry until one day I heard a Coach talking about what is happiness. She said, “Happiness Is Waiting at a traffic light and looking at the environment around you.” Now when I am in line or waiting at a traffic light I take a moment and create a grateful list in my head. It works wonders.
I don’t mind being in a long queue. I really get angry when the reason for the long queue is due to bad/slow service, or if the line is being held by another “queuer” due to unreasonable behavior. Other than that, I’m usually OK with being in a long queue. Traffic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is normal. Doesn’t bug me any longer. If not, I’ll go crazy!
Thanks Mark! Another great post!
I have an old-fashioned way to make good use out of time spent in line; I bring along a book. It never ceases to amaze me how people show up to places where they KNOW they’ll have a long wait and never have anything with them to occupy their time; when I go to the dentist, the DMV, whatever, my time in line flies by, because I’m reading rather than fidgeting.
Hi Mark,
I love to talk to people while waiting in line. And if no one’s in the mood to talk, I take Meredith’s route and I pick up a trashy magazine. Then I feel grateful that I never became famous, because famous people seem to be the most unhappy bunch I’ve ever come across in my whole life!
…Now I just have to work on not getting frustrated when there’s someone driving two miles an hour in front of me and I can’t even see the top of their head. Egads.
Alexys,
Glad to hear that you use your time waiting to be still and listen!
Excellent thought, thanks for sharing.
Helen,
That was a great lesson you learned from that coach. Glad to hear that you carried it forward and are now sharing it with us. Great idea!
Faith,
Good to hear that for the most part you don’t mind waiting in queue. I would like you think about the anger that you feel over a slow cashier or unreasonalbe customer. Instead of becoming angry, thank them for giving you more quiet time to reflect. Remember these very people that you find anger with may be there to teach you a lesson. Think about what lesson these people may be there to teach you.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Omni,
Bringing a book is a great idea!
I would say that sometimes, it is also good to allow yourself not to occupied, to allow yourself to sit and reflect on yourself or the enviroment that you are in is very valuable.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Lisa,
Great thoughts! I too love to talk with people in line. It is great that you find away to be grateful by reading through the tabloids.
I am sure you will soon find a lesson in the drivers who frustrate you.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts today!
Excellent, Mark. I have a blog post coming up on this very topic – just need to get a few more photos for it.
Sunflower,
Thanks for your comment. I will look forward to reading your post.