There is a sense of exhilaration that comes from facing head-on the hard truths and saying, "We will never give up. We will never capitulate. It might take a long time, but we will find a way to prevail."
-- Jim Collins, from his book, Good to Great
This quote speaks to me on a lot of subjects, whatever you need to persevere with until you arrive at the place you need to be.
For me, at one time, it was how to build my family.
I waited through 10 years of miscarriages and waited through the infamous slowdown of Chinese adoption from 1995-1997. I got lots of advice along the way. Currently China is experiencing another long wait. No one really understood how important it was for me. (And for my then future child.) In some ways I was glad I was so stubborn and just held on against all hope. I received our first Chinese daughter in June 1997.
At the same time I'd have conversations with myself about how patience was a virtue and by definition that meant I had to wait, but I didn't have to like it. Or, about how I would hold on because it seemed I had been led, but why, then, the long wait.
Who knows. In some sense, I waited because I waited.
As a friend of mine, Rick, often says, the only thing that helps is to get your child or your referral for your child. (Or whatever else you are waiting and longing for.)
I didn't feel real peace until I was on the plane and on my way to China, even though I was mentally prepared to come home without a child. It just seemed a dream.
Have you ever had to wait, hoping against hope?
If you are struggling along these lines, in a long wait, keep thinking or praying and let yourself be led, even if it is through the wait. I'd love to hear from you, either during your wait or after its resolution.
Karin
Originally posted 2007-01-02 08:09:50.
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