“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” ~Leo Tolstoy

As you read this, my body will be recovering on a couch with my feet up. I moved back into the heart of Toronto this weekend. Actually bought furniture and wall art and kitchen stuff. And a microwave.

I really moved.

A bit of backstory

Almost a decade ago, I made a rather radical life change, selling all I owned. I spent the winters in Mexico and became a sort of up-scale itinerant the rest of the year, flitting here and there for business, but continuing to call Toronto home.

It was a grand experiment in purposeful spartan consciousness as well as an opportunity to determine where I’d like to reside long term.

During those years, I spent much time bunking with a good friend who lives in a co-op in downtown within walking distance to everything. Union station is three blocks away. The St. Lawrence Market one block away. Parks, waterfront, public transport. I decided this was where I wanted to live long-term.

But the wait list for this co-op was both long and closed.

It took over two years for the wait list to open. I jumped on it, and through the hoops it presented—credit check, application, interview—and waited some more. And imagined living there, decorating the place in my mind’s eye on long drives.

Almost four years later, I got a call saying I was top of the list and there was a two-bedroom unit with underground parking spot available. Did I want it?

You bet ‘cha, baby!

I got exactly what I visualized. And waited over six years to actualize.

Moral of the story

If you want something, be willing to wait for it.

Clarity is critical to creating results, to be sure, like ordering a meal in a restaurant.

But make no mistake, patience is the one who pays the bill.