Expectations

One of my constant struggles is with expectations. Growing up I pretty much always had my expectations met. I had a comfortable home and stable family. I was a good student who always managed good grades. I even married my high school sweetheart.

Then my expectations started to deviate from reality. Maybe it was just because I was older and more aware, or maybe it was because my expectations became more mature and serious. In the span of less than a decade some of my most convicted expectations didn’t pan out like I expected them to.

I did not become a teacher, even though I hold a teaching degree and spent a half year in the classroom.

I did not give birth to a child. Or two.

My child was not a child prodigy who was more advanced than everyone else.

That's not to say the realities of these unmet expectations are negative. I love my job as an editor; I took some fantastic trips during the time I had expected to be on doctor's ordered no-fly list and found I could care less if my child had my nose or my husband's hairy feet; and my child, while not more advanced than all the other little kids, is by far the best little kid in the whole world.

Although it's pretty unrealistic to think that you can avoid placing expectations on people and things, I am finding that what I can and need to get better at doing is remembering that failed expectations do not automatically mean bad outcomes.

Sure, this might not be the path you intended to take, but the view might be so much better just past where you can see from that crossroad.

In fact, if you play smart and be kind and muster some bravery and have some faith, chances are those failed expectations will be the best things ever. I just need to keep remembering this.