The Waiting Room: Finding Joy in the Life You’re Living

Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in The Waiting Room? That place where you’re just…waiting. Not fully living, not fully appreciating where you are, but longing for something you used to have or something you wish you could be.

After watching Nine Days and finishing The Five People You Meet in Heaven, I’ve been reflecting on this idea. These stories reminded me of how easy it is to lose sight of the gift of life. And it hit me: The Waiting Room is where too many of us end up, caught between the life we have and the life we think we’ve lost.

What Is The Waiting Room?It’s that mindset where we linger, wishing for the past instead of embracing the present. For me, it’s sometimes longing for the days when I could run—or even just walk without falling. I catch myself wishing for my younger self, the one who didn’t have MS, the one who didn’t need a wheelchair to get around.

But here’s the thing: staying in The Waiting Room means I miss out on the life I do have.

A Different PerspectiveThe other day, Chris and I went for a walk. I was in my wheelchair, and as we strolled, I started noticing things I wouldn’t have seen if I were standing—leaves scattered on the ground, the way the sunlight filtered through the trees, the tiny details that make the world so beautiful.

It hit me that this perspective, this unique vantage point, is a gift. Sure, I’d love to be running, or even walking without a stumble, but the world looks different from here. And different doesn’t mean worse.

What Aging and MS Have Taught MeGetting older and living with MS have slowed me down, but they’ve also opened my eyes. I’ve learned to see life’s small wonders—the ones that are easy to miss when you’re rushing around. I’ve learned to savor the moments I have with Chris, to laugh at the ridiculousness of life, and to embrace the fact that every day, every breath, is a miracle.

I’ve also realized how important it is to get out of The Waiting Room. To stop wishing for what was and start appreciating what is.

How to Leave The Waiting Room

If you’ve found yourself stuck in The Waiting Room, here are a few things I’ve learned about stepping out and embracing life:1. Be Present: Focus on what’s in front of you right now. The past is gone, and the future isn’t promised, but the present is a gift.2. Find Gratitude in the Small Things: Maybe it’s the sound of laughter, the warmth of the sun, or the sight of your grandkids playing with a cardboard box. Joy is often found in the simplest moments.3. Redefine What Living Means: Life doesn’t have to look like it used to. It’s okay for it to be different. Different doesn’t mean less—it just means it’s time to discover new ways to find joy.4. Let Go of What You Can’t Change: Wishing for the past won’t bring it back. But appreciating the life you have now can bring you peace.

Every Day Is a GiftWhen I think about Nine Days and The Five People You Meet in Heaven, the central message is clear: life is precious, even when it’s messy, imperfect, or hard. It’s up to us to find the beauty in the everyday, to cherish the moments that make us smile, and to share our gratitude with the people around us.

So, let’s step out of The Waiting Room. Let’s stop waiting for life to be perfect and start living it fully, right here, right now.

Your TurnWhat’s your “Waiting Room”? What are you waiting for? And what can you do today to step out of it and into the life you have? I’d love to hear your thoughts—let’s share, reflect, and inspire one another.

Because life is happening now. Let’s not miss it.