Why Wait?

 I had the opportunity to participate in a memorial run this weekend in honour of my friends' son whose life was taken last month.  I did not have the opportunity to meet Robert in person, and feel fortunate to have learned more about who he was and the impact he had through the many rich and beautiful memories that have been shared since his passing.

The one idea that has stood out to me and to many others was his personal mantra of Why Wait.  It was something that he felt strongly about as a way to live his life and as I ran today I let these words tumble around in my head.  I started to think about the times when I knew what I wanted, but held back from taking a step towards it.  Those moments when I had words on the tip of my tongue but kept them inside for fear of what the reaction, or lack of reaction might be.  And the many times when I decided that I wasn't ready, or it wasn't quite time yet, or when I accomplished X then I would be ready to do Y and Z.  

I then started to contemplate what might have happened if instead of holding back, second guessing and waiting for signs of readiness, I started to live my life with the mindset of Why Wait.  The conscious decision to go for it, whatever it is - a new job, a new relationship, a new life path.  What might happen if there was no more waiting for the right moment, the perfect words, the door being left wide open?

I also started to think back about times when I did go for things, when I put my hand up and somewhat unprepared took a step forward.  There were definitely moments of fear, of self doubt and sometimes of realizing the hard truth that I really wasn't ready for that next step.  Times when I had to pick myself up, dust myself off and start the process over again, a bit wiser this time, knowing the gaps I would need to fill in order to make it the next time I tried.  There were times when much to my own surprise I did actually succeed and managed to take that next step or achieve the stretch goal that I had created for myself.  There is nothing quite as powerful as the accomplishments that come when even we don't think they will.  Of course I will never know about all of the chances and opportunities I have missed over the years as a result of waiting, and that is okay too as I feel like the path I have taken has been the perfect one for me to end up where I am today.  Missed opportunities and all.

What all of this mulling made me realize is the power and wisdom embedded in this simple mantra.  The potential for growth and greatness that comes with not waiting.  For example, if I waited until I was "ready" to ride a bicycle great distances I would never have joined the bike club I did 11 years ago and would have never met so many of the incredible people who I now have as close friends.  I would have missed out on so many adventures and experiences along the way and would not have that meaningful hobby as part of my life.  The list goes on.  And with that realization I am choosing to stop waiting.  Life is precious, and we only have this one chance to truly make it look the way we want it to.  There are some aspects that we cannot control, but a great many that we can and those are the aspects that I plan to focus on.  

So no more waiting to tell my loved ones that they are loved, no more waiting to smile and say hi to people as I pass them on the street, no more waiting before making meaningful steps towards stretch goals and targets.  No more waiting to live life as fully and richly as I am able to and absolutely no more waiting to celebrate the triumphs and regroup after the setbacks that come with a full life. 

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