I have a new appreciation for understanding the power of the waiting room; following up on Jennifer’s post from earlier in the week.
The waiting room can teach us a lot about ourselves.
About how easily we get frustrated, how little patience we have, how we learn we are not the kind of people who engage in small talk while waiting.
I have been in this setting on many occasions and each time it brings a sense of unknowing, of fear, of what if’s (not sure that is a word) it’s definitely challenging.
When my husband had his knees replaced the first one was more scary than the second one.
The first time I wasn’t sure what to anticipate and look forward to when he came home.
Not too different than when he had both shoulders done.
The surgery part is a long wait…Waiting, looking at the walls, finding an old story to read in a very old magazine.
I often don’t bring my own book as I am kind of a germ worrier and don’t want my stuff in a world of potential germs from others.
As you sit and wait you wonder what each person is waiting for, who is in the surgery place.
Is it a husband, wife, child, parent?
What kind of news are they getting is it good or bad?
I wander the halls and find myself into the ‘cafeteria’ which sometimes has good food and most times not.
Eating while stressed is always a bad thing, so I try to pick good choices.
It’s hard not to people watch as sometimes it is very clear there is stress on their faces or they have quiet whispers among themselves.
Who are these people and why are they here in this place?
It stirs my curiosity and yet it also just ‘lingers’ in the air of what you should or should not talk about in this not so private waiting room.
You see people deep in their magazines, reading to pass the time, or on their phone doing games.
There is an unspoken rule I think about waiting rooms. You don’t ask.
You make only simple small talk. Nothing loud only small whispers.
The other day at the pharmacy corner where I waited for my prescriptions it was very slow and crowded and I waited for a very long time.
Finally the tech said to me come here, “you have been waiting for some time.”
Yes I had. I was being patient as I could tell they were slammed and short handed.
I have worked in this field and know the total frustration and stress.
While we are in the waiting room we can adjust our attitudes.
Much of life is about waiting and learning to be flexible, patient and kind in the process.
How do you handle times of waiting?