Although a holding pattern is a fairly easy maneuver compared to other tasks in instrument flying, it is a source of confusion and apprehension to many instrument trainees and novice instrument pilots. A better understanding of holding patterns can help eliminate many of the psychological barriers.

A holding pattern is a predetermined maneuver designed to keep an aircraft within a specified airspace. Holding pattern procedures are designated to absorb any flight delays that may occur along an airway, during terminal arrival and on missed approach.

~from Pilot’s Web

Yay, new year! All of the excitement has been building, people have new goals, many of us are planning huge changes, and there’s that extra electricity in the air with all of the anticipation. As we get further into January, though, I’m noticing that “it” perhaps has not happened… yet. For me, for many, perhaps even for you.

It’s the feeling we have when waiting for late dinner guests. We’re ready, we’ve been preparing, we’re even looking forward to the evening, but the guests aren’t here, yet, so all we can do is wait and hope for the best, right? (And peek out the window a few times.) I’m not trying to sound impatient, and I’m definitely not giving up; I’m noticing that I’m just wondering what this year will bring. I’ve been trusting that the decisions I’ve reached and the progress I’ve made is all just as it should be. But I still have that feeling of waiting, and I’m actually okay with it, overall. And my friends have also expressed this feeling. Friend Tamar with her own blog noted that she bought a new bed, has been purging household things she doesn’t need anymore and admitted, “Even though I don’t know what I’m preparing for, I feel driven.”

Today as I walked to my car after a long day, I noticed a rather odd sight: a tree with most of its leaves still hanging on in the midst of winter and the company of bare trees. A little snow and ice tinged several leaves, but there they hung. In a holding pattern of sorts. I was reminded that I needed to write this blog post el pronto. And reminded of why I love Turtle Medicine so much, as Turtle symbolizes many qualities, including adaptability, groundedness, honoring-our-own-pace, and patience.

One reminder I continue to have is enjoying now, not focusing on the waiting.

“Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”
~Unknown

While I wait for the bus to arrive, I crochet, which I continue during my bus journey. In the “waiting” for Mr. Partner, I aim not to focus on the have-not factor but more so the hobbies, the friends and the other importances, along with the new things I can bring into my life (newest venture: making all-natural, organic soap!). As I anticipate and still do not know the job that will replace my current one, in choosing to trust I’m doing the right thing, I am curious to know what will be revealed—and when. I’m not a perfect wait-er, either, but waiting is too often, unfortunately, associated with boredom. And I don’t get bored. Ask those who know me best: If anyone ever says, “Call me if you get bored,” I will retort, “Then you won’t hear from me because I don’t get bored.” How do we respond during the customer service call when we’re told, “Your wait time is five minutes. A customer service representative will be with you shortly.” Time is such a gift. How do we choose to fill it?

My hope for many of us who are in the holding pattern is to relax in the process as much as we can—entertaining thoughts of how we can stay healthy, happy and balanced in a sometimes uncomfortable time.  Let’s return to the earlier definition of a holding pattern, specifically the note “it [holding pattern] is a source of confusion and apprehension to many instrument trainees and novice instrument pilots.” No matter what age we are, we can get a little confused and anxious and even impatient when life isn’t unfolding in the way or at the pace we might desire, but I’ve also learned that age teaches us to trust and believe that things are just as they should be. Most of us are not novice flyers anymore, and we’re often better pilots than we were back in the day. There are reasons for slower times, times when we can reflect and evaluate; otherwise, we might just trip over things a bit more and complicate our journey more than necessary. Enjoy the wait—or at least how you choose to experience it.