I’m slowly learning how to wait, how to be patient, how to stand still when I want to run away, how to wake up when I can’t keep my eyes open and how to accept what I don’t understand. I’m slowly learning that good things truly take time and that I can’t rush anything in life, especially the things that I want most.

I’m slowly learning how to trust God and have faith in his plans. I’m slowly learning how to be calm instead of angry that things are not going my way. I’m learning to strengthen my faith even when I’m not being granted anything I wished for. I’m slowly learning that his plans are better than mine, that his magic takes time, that his miracles will come find me when the time is right.

I’m slowly learning how to accept rejection, how to let go of the things that are not meant for me, how to find my self-worth again instead of letting rejection define me. I’m slowly learning that rejection is something that I’ll always encounter and it’s just a part of life and love. I’m slowly learning that rejection means something better is waiting for me.

I’m slowly learning not to compare my life to others. I’m slowly learning that their journey is different than mine, that they’re ready for the blessings I still need to work harder for, that they’ve reached a point where their timing is right and I still need to figure out mine. I’m slowly learning that there are no timelines in life; just learning, living and evolving.

I’m slowly learning how to wait without complaining, without crying, without being bitter no matter how frustrating it gets because I believe I’m bound to find the answers one day, I’m bound to figure out why I had to wait and why things had to be so hard. I’m slowly learning how to enjoy the questions instead of fretting about the answers.

I’m slowly learning how to live. I’m slowly starting to understand life, God, love, heartbreak, rejection, family, and work. I’m slowly finding the missing pieces of the puzzle and I’m slowly building my masterpiece. I’m slowly learning that good things take time. That the things that last won’t come easy and the lessons that shape you are always the hardest ones.

I’m slowly learning that waiting doesn’t have to be a curse, even though it certainly feels like it is most of the time. I’m slowly learning that waiting can be a blessing because it turns you into the best version of yourself so you can be prepared for the best things in life to come find you. I’m slowly learning that waiting may not get you the things you want immediately, but it will get you the things you need for a lifetime.

Rania Naim is a poet and author of the new book All The Words I Should Have Said, available here.