Life’s a Game of Waiting for Godot…

“Let us do something, while we have the chance! It is not every day that we are needed. Not indeed that we personally are needed. Others would meet the case equally well, if not better. To all mankind they were addressed, those cries for help still ringing in our ears! But at this place, at this moment of time, all mankind is us, whether we like it or not. Let us make the most of it, before it is too late! Let us represent worthily for one the foul brood to which a cruel fate consigned us! What do you say? It is true that when with folded arms we weigh the pros and cons we are no less a credit to our species. The tiger bounds to the help of his congeners without the least reflexion, or else he slinks away into the depths of the thickets. But that is not the question. What are we doing here, that is the question. And we are blessed in this, that we happen to know the answer. Yes, in the immense confusion one thing alone is clear. We are waiting for Godot to come — ”

― Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot

When I was in my second year of University I did a course – can’t remember the name of the course, (that was a whiles ago; plus I can’t even remember my name sometimes!). One of the books we did was Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. I was intrigued by the play instantly and I could not explain why, because the situation and the characters in the play were also very absurdly comical yet tragic. Why was I so fascinated with a storyline that seemed futile, frustrating and somewhat sad. I don’t think I could translate how sad I was by this tragicomedy of Vladimir, Estragon, Pozzo and Lucky. I now guess it was the idea of waiting for someone, or something with great hope and anticipation only to be the only fool who does not know it will never come (this has been overly simplified by me of course). Adding insult to insult is the fact that they wait by a leafless and presumably fruitless tree -which signifies further, the futility of their wait.

If think about how often we wait, we may begin to question the value of waiting or whether there is even anything meaningful about life. When life becomes too predictable to the point of seeming meaningless then we are losing the waiting game.

What are the lesson of waiting for Godot?

For the play published in 1952, (yes it’s that old), there are ideas that are present and relevant in our world today that we can consider. There is a real and present fear that each of us have and that is of “going against the grain”; so we think: if I do not stay within the expectations of others and what society dictates, what will become of me? And finally we think that we will be left behind if we do not take part in everything happening around us. A lot of us live lives that are just as absurd as the characters; we feel compelled to wait for someone or something that we do not have to wait for or do things we don’t have to do, but complain when we do, but still do it. By now you must realise how utterly exhausting and depressing the concept is.

When to wait…

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Habakkuk 2:3

when we face a crisis in life, it sometimes pays to wait on the outcome instead of trying to buldoser our way through the situation.When we try to move before the time is right we end up making the situation worse.ultimately we lose what could have been gained by exerting a little patience and faith. We need to know when to take action and when to wait patiently.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.

Proverbs 16:2

Also, if you truly believe in something and are genuine with your intentions, then waiting will not be a burden. How often have you committed to something, only to lose interest and give up when things are not going according to your plans. Many of us if we are truly honest with ourselves will recognise the harsh truth. If you do something for short term gain or success, is it truly a passion? Is our pursuit of that thing something that will boost our egos and not benefit another person. When we cannot wait to see things through, it means that the venture was doomed to fail because we did not have the right intentions. It may mean finding what is really of value to us and not what is popular and “success driven”. When we are forced to wait then we can come face to face with our real motives.

And patience produces character, and character produces hope

Romans 5:4

Finally, waiting may be necessary for us to grow into the persons we were always meant to be. There are many times when we rush into situations because we cannot wait and we not only cause harm to ourselves but those who love and support us. While we want everything now, it is important to acknowledge that there is value in waiting until the time is right. Over time we can become less rough around the edges and a lot wiser. Taking the time to pay attention to details also comes from waiting, and while many may view it as being a coward, when we choose to wait we will be able to pick what is valuable and leave behind what is not. As a result, we will be rewarded for waiting in faith and we will value and appreciate what we had to wait for. Waiting therefore means that we will grow in character and come to appreciate the little things that truly matter…

And when waiting is a game you think you will lose know that one day you will say:

Time passed and the spring flowers have bloomed
I’m letting go of the cold days…

Team B (iKON)