Great Expectations

Expectations.

The word kind of sounds demanding even when you just say it by itself.

We all have them, know about them, even worry about them. Place them upon others, place them upon ourselves, strive to meet them.

A lot of work for just one word, eh?

But the more we look toward the future, the more expectations we place upon ourselves, our spouses, our friends, our families. The more we want for ourselves, the more we want to work harder, do better, live larger. Expect, Expect, Expect.

But what happens when those expectations aren’t met? What happens when something we’ve worked hard to achieve falls flat at the last minute? Or something you were counting on from a friend doesn’t work out as planned? Those expectations aren’t reached and we’re met with a sense of failure. But why?

Failure. Another word that means so much when you say it out loud. Expectations and failure to oblige. I think sometimes we have such a lofty sense of being that we want to exceed our own expectations, but how is that possible when we’re setting such high goals to begin with? True as it may be that setting high goals leads a path to success, but what happens when that lofty goal falls short of the expectation, but other small achievements have been made along the way? Are you still a failure?

Often, I feel that just because I haven’t reached a certain goal, I am a failure. That because I didn’t clear that high bar, the rest of the things I DID do, aren’t important. I’m naturally hard on myself, because sometimes if you don’t push yourself–no one else will. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.

But I have come to a point of reckoning. Sometimes it’s okay to just “be”. Be grateful with what you have. Be happy for what you have done. Be excited for the potential that the future holds.

And for once, let your expectations do the waiting.