expectations

Expectations could be considered a form of prejudice. We pre-judge a situation, and decide beforehand whether we’re going to be satisfied or dissatisfied. We’re judging the future.

So however we feel about the past and however we’re feeling in the present, we’ve also prepared our future feelings. How dull! What a trap! To have no choice, to be on emotional rails instead of walking the paths of our life.

“…improve your reality or lower your expectations.”

Jodi Picoult

Our expectations (internal judgment) create disappointments (internal judgement) more so than the situation (external event).

I don’t mean to ignore the value of emotional responses; sorrow follows tragedy, joy follows happy news; confusion drives us to seek clarity.

We feel what we feel, and this is valid. I only mean to highlight the traps we set for ourselves via our constructed or assumed expectations.

I don’t mean to conflate hope with expectation, although much disappointment stems from hoping for the best without consideration for alternative results.

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”

William Arthur Ward

If you have objectives to meet, then I hope the process you use to create success is flexible; if the objective is rigid and the process is rigid, how will you influence the outcome? Better to have flexible objectives and adjustable processes – to adapt to reality and flow with Tao.

“When you release expectations, you are free to enjoy things for what they are, instead of what you think they should be.”

Mandy Hale