In mid-2020, I went to a store that was at capacity because of social distancing measures. Outside, ten people waited for their turn to enter.

When one patron exited the store, another was allowed in.

I didn’t want to wait in line, but I decided to wait anyway.

Two takeaways:

One. The wait was only two minutes (I timed it). I had considered leaving because the line seemed long. However, it moved quickly. Long lines don’t always mean long wait times.

Two. Just a small bit of waiting translated into an unusual exhilaration when I entered the store. There was some relief. There was some excitement. (I was in!) That short period of waiting outside made the experience of being inside feel special.

Next time you see a line, don’t dismay. It might not be all that bad.