In this age of instant everything—instant noodles, instant texts, instant regret—it’s almost offensive when something dares to take its time. Whether it’s waiting for love, success, or just a text back from someone who clearly had their phone in their hands four seconds ago, we are perpetually outraged by the audacity of delayed gratification. But here’s the thing: the Bhagavad Gita has been subtly telling us for centuries that all the actually good stuff? The life-altering, soul-expanding, “damn, this was worth it” stuff? It takes time.

1. “Do the Work, Forget the Deadline” (But Also, When Will It Happen?)Krishna, our divine life coach, has this super chill advice for Arjuna: “You have the right to work, but never to the fruits of work.” Translation? Put in the effort, but quit obsessing over when you’ll get rewarded. Now, this sounds nice in theory, but let’s be real: if we spend hours crafting the perfect dating app profile, we expect a message that isn’t just “Hey.” If we hit the gym for three weeks, we expect abs. But the Gita is basically saying, Do your thing and trust the process. The timeline? Not your problem. (Yes, I know. Infuriating.)

2. The Universe is Not Amazon PrimeWe’ve been conditioned to believe that waiting is a glitch in the system—when really, it is the system. We expect overnight shipping on everything: careers, relationships, personal growth. But the Gita is out here reminding us that the best things in life are more artisanal sourdough than microwave popcorn. They need time to rise. And let’s be honest, every time we rushed something—love, success, a questionable haircut—it turned into a cosmic “I told you so.”

3. Patience: The Original Glow-UpKrishna’s whole vibe in the Gita? Cool, unbothered wisdom. And it turns out, the people we admire most—the ones who actually win in the long run—have mastered this vibe. They’ve figured out that patience isn’t about doing nothing; it’s about knowing that the wait is worth it. Think about it. Who do you trust more? The person who got their dream job after years of grinding—or the one who went viral on TikTok overnight and now sells teeth-whitening kits? Exactly.

4. What If the Detour Is the Destination?Plot twist: sometimes the thing we think we’re waiting for isn’t even it. We assume happiness is at the finish line, but what if it’s hidden in the mess of getting there? Krishna keeps hinting that fulfillment isn’t about the big, dramatic wins—it’s in the tiny moments where you learn, grow, and accidentally become the person you were meant to be. Like, you might be waiting for the one, but along the way, you realize you were the one you needed to love first. (Cue the self-help montage.)

5. Slow is Smooth, Smooth is FastEver notice how when you desperately want something, it seems to slip away? But the moment you let go, it practically falls into your lap? That’s because urgency reeks of desperation, and the universe—like an emotionally unavailable situationship—senses it and pulls away. The Gita is basically telling us to chill. Not in a “do nothing” way, but in a “trust that things are working even when you can’t see them” way. The more you try to control the timing, the more you delay it. It’s the ultimate paradox.

So, What’s the Move?Do your thing. Put in the work. Dream big. But stop obsessing over when your life will finally start. It already has. And if the Bhagavad Gita has taught us anything, it’s that the best things come to those who not only wait—but grow while they’re waiting. Besides, if everything arrived instantly, what would we even look forward to?