“Everything comes in time to him who knows how to wait.” — Leo Tolstoy

The family was running at full speed when they came around the corner. Out of breath. All four ran up to the gate where the door had just closed – plane still visible – and lost it.

The mom, German by accent, began to cry loudly “Can anyone help us?”

An airline employee walked by and they plead to him for help getting to Ft. Lauderdale. He asks to see their tickets and after checking, asks why they are upset?

The family is confused. Isn’t it obvious from their slumped shoulders?

Then, he points one gate over, where their actual plane is waiting, still empty with passengers milling around the gate.

Immediately, this staid German, envelops a complete stranger in a bear hug. And their vacation was back on track.

Feeling helpless is the worst.

Sometimes we simply do not know where to go and what to do. 

The trite answer is to talk about how these moments are opportunities for profound self-reinvention. In hindsight, maybe they are. Mostly, we just feel like an axle-deep truck waiting for a tow.

What do we do then? Do we actually have to wait for an answer?

Recently, I was out to dinner with my wife and children. We drove past a favorite taco shop where the line was out the door. I was ready to move to a different option, but my wife encouraged us to park and wait. “It’s tacos – the line will move fast.” She was right.

Within about 20 minutes, glorious plates were in front of us. But in-line, as I waited, I realized how little I wait anymore. Maybe you are the same.

Before I go to Starbucks, I put an order in my app. Same deal with Panera, Chipotle, etc. When I travel, I have enough points / miles / status to board early, pick my own rental car etc.

It is all very convenient. But it’s clear, I’m forgetting how to wait.

This is a skill I don’t think I can afford to lose.

But how to practice? 

Do I really have to go stand in that line?