jakorte's blog

I’ve always been baffled by the chorus of Carly Simon’s hit, “Anticipation.”
The verses make strong sense; but not the repeated refrain:

"Anticipation, Anticipation / Is making me late / Is keeping me waiting"

Anticipation doesn’t keep us waiting; waiting is what leads to anticipation, or dread.
The difference being one is a joyful wait and the other is stress induced.

Not to be too picky, but how could anticipation make us late? It’s been my experience that anticipation drives us to move forward, especially in the case of trying to be sure we make it to the airport in time.

I suppose there is a sort-of-related, very minor, plot line duplicity. Anticipation almost forces us to fore see obstacles, and can, in its favor, be credited for early terminal and gate arrivals due to hopeful avoidance of dreaded delays in long lines.

Yet, our lives follow an exactly opposite pattern. We commonly delay; in fear of the end. An inevitable event, death most commonly remains viewed with dread. Only the most secure, the most rooted, the few true believers, face death with unabashed anticipation.

But, I worry that too much of an intense focus on the future results in missing the “now.”
And, I worry that too much foretelling dread results in missing the “now.”

All time is scientifically and solidly non-retrievable. Not observing the present is a costly mistake.
How is it possible remove the anticipation or dread from our lives?
Simply by giving our worries to GOD; HE has asked for them, and expects them.

Ms. Simon wrote:

“And tomorrow we might not be together: I'm no prophet, I don't know nature’s way
So I'll try to see into your eyes right now: And stay right here, 'cause these are the good old days.”

Let’s work alongside HIM to create better circumstances.
Let’s live in the present and love in the now.

In this issue: Carly Simon, Definitions of Anticipation, Heinz
Now Posted: New Orleans, October 2009, Levees and Shirts