Expectations

Expectations are fascinating. Expectations are insidious and have the capacity to create misunderstandings that have deleterious effects on relationships.

We all have them. Sometimes we are conscious of them, sometimes we are not. We stand opposite someone with our expectations and some of us hit the indignant button when the other does not act or respond according to our expectations, and even worse has their own set of expectations. Some of us think that something is fundamentally wrong with us and must not measure up, instead of realizing someone’s expectations has been placed on us. It seems it would be easier if we could compare expectation lists. I suppose this would not be realistic, so the best we can do is to work toward awareness and presence and owning and communicating our feelings and needs.

I read this somewhere:

If instead of having expectations we look at how things actually exist and turn inward for stability and happiness we can achieve a much more peaceful state of mind. We can still enjoy the positive things we experience in life but we won't be devastated when they eventually fade or fall away.

Dreaming is one thing, and working towards the

dream is one thing, but working with expectations
in the mind is very self-defeating.

-Michael Landon