In the process of...

As events transpire in my life, I discover something about myself, and also about others around me. Oftentimes, I look forward to a certain event, feeling, activity, etc. However, I find myself so ready for the result that I forget about the process.

For example, I spent the first few months of my summer being ready for it to be over. I was looking forward to an event at the end of the summer, and I just wanted to be there. However, about halfway through the summer, that event fell through. And I realized that I'd wasted all that time being impatient for the event, I had hardly made anything of the first 2 months of summer! I'd forgotten to enjoy the process. Since then, I've done my very best to make the most of the rest of this summer, and now I don't want it to end!

I think I say too much, "I can't wait until..." I think those words are dangerous. Once you've said them, you've practically committed yourself to at least some small amount of apathy for all events occurring before what you are waiting for arrives. What makes that so dangerous is that you never know what can happen. We all know that life throws surprises at us, and often, they're quite good. And if you spend your time being apathetic, you may miss something wonderful. It makes me think of a scripture in Hebrews, chapter 13 verse 2:
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. "
I think this scripture not only has implications to us to be kind to others, but I can see it in a different way. Strangers can mean more than just people; it can mean anything unfamiliar, strange, new, etc. Let yourself experience new things, different things. If not, you may "entertain angels unawares."

As my summer draws to a close, I look back and see the process. We often don't realize it when we are in the process, but just about all the time, you're in the process. Of what this process is may change, but you're always in a process. I think the important part is realizing this fact, and remembering that change takes time, love comes softly, and happiness is a choice.