Chapter 1: The Problem of Waiting

Each passing day offers no extra time compared to the last, yet many of us find ourselves perpetually waiting.

One day, while playing in the park with my five-year-old niece, I observed her boundless energy and curiosity. Her attention shifted rapidly; one moment, she was counting ants, and the next, she was off to conquer the slide. She never hesitated; her curiosity guided her every move.

From half-built sandcastles to incomplete drawings, everything she engaged with became a work in progress. I admired her imaginative spirit.

This got me pondering: why do we adults often delay taking action? We tend to wait for happiness, believing that we must tick off every item on our checklist before we can feel joy. Yet, have we even considered if those items are what we genuinely desire? Are they merely societal expectations we feel compelled to follow?

We mistakenly think that we need these milestones to validate our right to be happy, while children naturally embrace living in the moment. My niece, for instance, would cry when her little brother snatched her doll, but moments later, she’d be laughing at a silly joke, completely forgetting the previous conflict. She didn't linger on her emotions; she didn’t wait for the storm to pass.

In contrast, adults tend to wait. We postpone the things we love for countless rational reasons. We tell ourselves we’ll wait until we've saved enough money or secured that promotion. The most troubling aspect is that we often wait until we have "time."

But the reality is that there will always be new responsibilities cropping up. We might find ourselves too old to travel to those dream destinations or too late to chase our aspirations. The perfect time to act is now.

We often seek approval from unknown sources before we feel ready to proceed. Just last month, I started writing on Medium, a venture I had contemplated for quite some time. I had been jotting down thoughts here and there, but they never saw the light of day.

I had a vague desire to write online but hesitated to create a website or a social media presence. I kept telling myself that I wasn’t qualified, that I needed someone’s approval, or that I needed a groundbreaking idea before I could start.

Recently, I felt a compelling urge to dive in, regardless of my doubts. The truth is, no one is waiting for your perfect piece of content—just write and improve as you go. Instead of waiting, why not utilize that time to express yourself? All you truly need is the determination to begin.

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Chapter 2: The Freedom of Now

In this video, "Nickelback - What Are You Waiting For? (Lyric Video)," the lyrics challenge us to reflect on the moments we let slip away while we wait for the right time.

Gwen Stefani’s "What You Waiting For? (Clean Version) (Official Music Video)" encourages us to seize the moment and pursue our passions without delay.