Waiting For ‘Perfect Timing’ Is Holding You Back From Experiencing Life

“It is not uncommon for people to spend their whole life waiting to start living.”
-Eckhart Tolle

Timing. It’s such a small word, yet it has such a big influence within our lives. We base so many things on this 6 letter word…timing. We say: “Now isn’t a good time,” “If only time was on my side” or “Maybe next time.” We let timing hold us back. Timing seems to be the third party in our lives. It leads us to live waiting and thinking about what’s next, without enjoying what’s now.

I’ve found myself floating through life. Things are happening to me and around me, and I find myself quiet and complacent. I’ve caught myself waiting for life to happen, waiting for that so called “perfect timing.”

However, life is right now. Life isn’t something that is going to happen someday. It’s happening as I write this, as you read this and as you scroll mindlessly. This is life. Life is every single second of every single day. Your real life started the day you took your first breath. Therefore, every moment we spend waiting for something to happen, we miss out on the beautiful life that is currently happening around us. Our one and only life.

Life shouldn’t be spent worrying, hesitating, overthinking and second guessing. We convince ourselves that a day will come when we’re 100% ready. But sorry to break it to you…you will never feel completely ready because there isn’t a precise right time for anything. Of course, certain actions and life events may have opportune timings, but if they don’t happen on schedule, does that make them any less right?

There is a difference between waiting because it is necessary, and waiting because you are anticipating a perfect time. The stars will never align exactly how you always hoped. That sign you are waiting for may never appear. While I firmly believe in God’s timing, we can’t expect our hands, feet and mouths to move without any effort on our part.

If you love someone, express it.

If you miss someone, call them.

If you forgive someone, tell them.

If you have a question, ask it.

If you have a goal, chase it.

If you need help, reach out.

If you want change, make changes.

What is holding you back anyway? Why not just go for it? If you’re waiting for a sign, maybe this is it. Life is meant to be lived, so stop waiting and start living. Don’t sit in the waiting room. Dive into the unknown. In the end, time is infinite, but ours isn’t. The timing is now.