The Power of Pondering & Patience

In a world that prizes rapid results, constant movement, and immediate gratification, the virtues of pondering and patience, which result in delayed gratification, can often seem out of place.? However, I have found taking this approach to life can be significantly satisfying.

These virtues should not be considered outdated concepts. Despite the fact that to sit and ponder for me can conjure up images of my great-grandmother and great-aunt sitting on their porch in Michigan crocheting or just looking out at the world. When I was young and would find myself sitting with them, more often than not I was impatiently waiting to do something (play with friends or go somewhere).?But every once in a while, I was just there, in the moment, with them. My favorite times to sit with them was when it rained or snowed. It felt like life stood still; like anything could happen. In those moments my imagination soared with ideas and possibilities.

Pondering is for more than just rainy days

Pondering and just sitting in stillness can hold profound significance in shaping how one approaches many aspects of moving through life. Taking the time to reflect thoughtfully on choices made while navigating the unfolding of our individual journeys can lead to deeper satisfaction, wiser decisions in the future, and a greater sense of peace. The act of pondering can provide essential space for clarity and growth, allowing us to design lives that resonate with our best selves.

Central to the power of pondering is the recognition that life is not a series of preordained steps to be followed but a dynamic process that requires ongoing reflection and recalibration. Taking the time to explore, reflect, and consider various options before making a decision helps with designing a life, choice by choice, event by event, stillness by stillness.

Rather than rushing to conclusions or defaulting to habitual choices, pondering provides the opportunity to explore a broader range of possibilities. It helps to clarify what truly matters, guiding us toward choices that are not merely reactive but are grounded in our deepest truths. This intentional reflection often leads to more meaningful outcomes, as we become more attuned to our inner needs and desires.

Despite the fact that a central mindset within Life Design is bias towards action, pondering is also an essential practice in Life Design. Pondering is action-based although one is not physically moving; the mind is working/processing. Rather than rushing into decisions, Life Design encourages people to ask the big questions: What do I truly want? What is fulfilling to me? Then, to explore those answers. When we take the time to ponder, we create space for new ideas, insights, and creative solutions to emerge. Rather than trying to force answers, we learn to ask better questions, which leads to deeper understanding and more innovative approaches to whatever is in front of us.

Patience is a needed ingredient of a life well-lived

Patience is another virtue that can and should hold significant value in our present lives. It is the ability to wait without agitation or frustration, trusting that things will unfold in their own time. In a world that often prioritizes speed and instant gratification, patience can seem counterproductive. However, cultivating patience is crucial for aligning with the natural flow of life and for allowing growth to occur in its proper season.

Patience, according to the Tao Te Ching, is not merely about waiting passively, but about cultivating a deep trust in the process of life. One translated version of Verse 73 states, "It does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" (Dyer, 2007). This is the principle of wu wei (“non-action” or “effortless action") and suggests that rather than forcing things to happen, one should align with the natural flow of life and allow things to unfold in their own time.?

Patience does not imply passivity; it is active in its own way. It is the understanding that everything has its own rhythm and that rushing creates unnecessary tension. Like the slow unfolding of a plant, the crocheting of a blanket, or the steady progression of a river, life moves in cycles and patterns that cannot be hurried. By embracing patience, we allow ourselves to harmonize with this natural flow, ensuring that our actions are timely and purposeful.

Pondering + Patience = Power

The combination of pondering and patience creates a powerful foundation for navigating the complexities of life. Together, pondering and patience create space for deeper understanding and better decision-making. When we take the time to reflect before making choices, we are less likely to be swayed by external pressures or fleeting desires. Instead, we act with greater purpose, knowing that our decisions are grounded in what truly matters to us.?

Life is unpredictable, and we are often faced with challenges that seem insurmountable. Wu wei teaches us that sometimes, the best action is no action at all—at least not before the right moment. This synergy between pondering and patience also fosters resilience. It is not a passive state of being but a proactive one. It allows us, especially in times of uncertainty, to prepare, reflect, and grow while navigating career decisions, personal relationships, or life’s larger existential questions. In time, the seeds you plant through pondering, with patience, will grow. Slow down and take care of the garden of your mind.

I think I'll take up crocheting.