Anticipation

Anticipation:

Expectant waiting: the feeling of looking forward, usually excitedly or eagerly, to something that is going to happen

Even as I sit and wait for the snow to arrive, I am filled with great anticipation and longing for time spent in the "tropical" yard. Oh, I know it's not really a tropical world I live in, but when the fountain is cascading, the wood chime is playing its lullaby and the breeze is whispering as it caresses the umbrella fringe I am transported to a southern region.

Anticipation brings so many memories to my mind. I remember each season of the year as I anticipated the next one's arrival. I am transported back to my school days when anticipation meant the next vacation or advancing to a higher grade. When single, marriage is anticipated. When married, anticipation can come via so many avenues - some anticipate divorce, some a 50th wedding anniversary. Some will anticipate the birth of children, only to eventually be followed by the joy-filled anticipation of an empty nest.  Who among us can forget the famous ketchup commercial with the theme song of anticipation spelled out with agonizing slowness, as we waited for that precious drop to hit our french fry?

We spend a lot of time living in this state of anticipation. What would our lives look like if we spent more time in the state of "Now?" Would we see the beautiful flowers in bloom as we drive our daily route? Would our friends and co-workers feel more loved and respected if they had our full attention instead of half our mind being filled with and focused on the anticipation of what is coming next? Would our marriages be filled with more laughter and wonder?

Would our hopes and dreams have a better chance of being fulfilled if we spent time living in Now, where we can actually accomplish something to propel us forward?

This blog is my first attempt at postponing my own anticipation. Instead of anticipating what it would be like to share my thoughts with others through my photos and my writing, I am taking action and living in the state of Now. I don't profess to be an author, but I do have thoughts that I need to allow to breathe.


One More Thing...

I'm challenging each of you to find one thing this week to stop anticipating and start living out...now. I'd love to hear about it.

Take care, and I'm always here to listen, pray for you, or to encourage you.

Lois Lynn