I can identify with today’s quote and question, as those ideas are how I try to live my life.
Yes I find a passion and then chart a course, but I have learned to flow with the tides of life.
I have also learned that I can “crowbar” my way into some goal or desire, but it most often falls apart, or does not turn out the way I envisioned.
So when I chart a course one way, but the winds blow me another, I go with it to see where it leads. And to my surprise – things turn out amazingly and the path is a bit easier, if unexpected.
I do not mean charting a course of least resistance, but rather chart a course and see where life leads.
Always a beginner in this. There have been times in my life when this was easier. But often there was still some expectation or goal to which I surrendered the outcome. In retirement, it’s easier in one respect without job expectations but knowing that my time is limited and the length unknown, is disorienting at times. Back to practice!!
Always a beginner in this. There have been times in my life when this was easier. But often there was still some expectation or goal to which I surrendered the outcome. In retirement, it’s easier in one respect without job expectations but knowing that my time is limited and the length unknown, is disorienting at times. Back to practice!!
As a child,
growing up in comfort relative to the rest of the world,
I imagined and expected
to live the American Dream,
with a husband,
laughing children,
a dog,
and maybe a cat
in a little house with a white picket fence
and geraniums in the windows.
The nightmare of the truth
didn’t happen until twenty years later.
From there,
for a long time,
there was no hope,
and not a single expectation . . .
I grew up.
Now,
tempered by age and disappointment,
as well as a renewal of hope,
I have learned
that expectations
are nothing but clouds in the sky.
When the air cleared
of the clouds and the fireworks and the smoke,
I never imagined
that I’d be where I am now,
let alone
be alive at all.
Most of my former lovers are dead,
as well as whatever they carried in their hearts.
I alone,
stand here with arms open to the future,
embraced by a semblance of safety
that I did not believe I would find again.
I have a Life of quality . . .
a life I can live with.
I only have wonder,
but no expectations
as to how or when
I will leave all of this bounty behind. ♥
I think what challenges me the most are the expectations I always seem to have for myself. It’s important for me to check into my monkey mind often and calm those self talk voices that say I have to be perfect to be loved. I have to remind myself that they are usually ganging up on that little girl who has always been there for me. As my mentor taught me, “There is a part of you that has never been afraid, call it forth.” Expectations are seldom in the present moment. They are always about reliving the past or anticipating the future. This reminds me that forgiveness doesn’t free the person I forgive. It frees me.
I don’t know about fewer expectations a this moment but today I finally renewed my passport!! I hope to plan a trip spring of 2027 back to Scotland! My car will be paid off in October this year!🎉
I have spent my life, expecting the worst. Fretting over how things could go wrong. Until it was pointed out to me, that things have generally worked out for me. The evidence is clear. Even when things may have initially not gone to plan. In fact, some of the best stuff has come out of these moments of disappointment or chaos. Seriously, why should I worry ether way? If I can just be open and available to all experiences and whatever may come, and be prepared to be present. Planning and then letting it unfold however it may unfold. Loosening my grip on the illusion of control.
“ Even when things may have initially not gone to plan. In fact, some of the best stuff has come out of these moments…”
Yes, I have had a similar experience Charlie!
I prepare for the day or night and in between. If it turns out well, I rejoice. If it is a challenge, I find the lesson and deal with the consequences.
I think there is a difference between planning and expecting. Plans are what I am trying to accomplish–I need a roadmap and a schedule. However, to me expectation is entitlement. I plan and I leave myself open to possibility. It’s not willy nilly– I participatie AND I trust that sometime the road will fork and hairpin.
Plans and expectations have played a huge part in my life. When they work out (as I planned) it is great. But I’ve noticed it’s the times when they don’t – that’s where the great stories of my life, the adventures begin…the surprises within the plans, or the failed expectations. There are lots of words of wisdom in the comments of this reflection already. I “expect” to read even more as the day unfolds. Gratitude is key for me.
Expectations and gratefulness are the path. My life is a car, and I’m driving it. To approach my life with fewer expectations, I steer the wheel toward gratefulness. For example, instead of expecting that I’d have a pet dog and then being upset because I can’t have one, I’m grateful for the cute succulents that I have. They’re growing up healthily and beautifully. Happy Monday to all! ☺
The theme of yesterday’s RLM mens meeting was by-passing religion. Brandon said that man uses it to control the masses. This is coming from a Christian. Religion was meant to promote moral living through levity. Man turned it into a bad thing and made the practices feel heavier than it needs to be. The purpose of RLM is to return it to its original purpose and expand upon that. As far as meetings go, each guy gets his turn to speak in the alphabetical order for first name whether it’s A-Z or Z-A.
When my turn came, I got the house rocking with my NBA insider’s lesson. Long story short. I talked about how I stood by the Lakers through Kobe’s twilight years into the early days of the LeBron era and how I stopped being a fan of them after the way LeBron made them worse and a public embarrassment at the same time all to bring in his son after the 2020 bubble championship against the Miami Heat. It’s nice to be a Lakers fan again after the king has moved on. The Lakers have just made a series of signings in young athletic players such as: Center, Walker Kesler, Guard, Collin Sexton, and 3 and D Guard, Quentin Grimes to surround Luka Doncic and homegrown undrafted hero, Guard, Austin Reaves. No more Buss children owning the team. They have a new owner now in Mark Wolter who also owns the LA Dodgers baseball team. When the Lakers are good or have less drama, the NBA is better.
With all that being said, God knows how to teach us life lessons through our interests. I thank him for all the insiders scoop. It helps me understand those who don’t like sports better and stay ahead of the game. Several guys from the mens group were drunk on the spirit by showing great enthusiasm from my NBA insiders lesson like: Jason Walker, Jesse Pierce, David, Timmothy V, and Brandon.
The cherry on top came when Timmothy V made a post with the scoreboard “Religion 0 Basketball 10,000pts” dedicating it to me. I replied sending my thoughts and prayers to LeBron James praying for him to be able to sign with a team as fans await during free agency. They only have positive emoji responses. After posting that, I got 5 of them within not even an hour. Brandon was laughing along with me giving me an ROFL. It stands for “Rolling on the floor laughing.”
By letting go of expectations and using the method of letting go. I can’t imagine how difficult it used to be to let go without an actual method. Thank you for reminding me to see how grateful this moment is . Flowing like a river is possible with the method . Thank you . 🤩
Dear Katrina ,
Grateful you asked and no it is from a meditation center I go to in Stockholm, however I heard about it through my sister and her husband who attended the center in Arlington, Virgina in the USA. We have centre’s in every continent.
Here is the link : https://onlinemeditationevents.com/locations/
Where are you located?
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I can identify with today’s quote and question, as those ideas are how I try to live my life.
Yes I find a passion and then chart a course, but I have learned to flow with the tides of life.
I have also learned that I can “crowbar” my way into some goal or desire, but it most often falls apart, or does not turn out the way I envisioned.
So when I chart a course one way, but the winds blow me another, I go with it to see where it leads. And to my surprise – things turn out amazingly and the path is a bit easier, if unexpected.
I do not mean charting a course of least resistance, but rather chart a course and see where life leads.
“. . . . and see where life leads.” One hundred percent. Thanks for your reflection, Cathie.
Always a beginner in this. There have been times in my life when this was easier. But often there was still some expectation or goal to which I surrendered the outcome. In retirement, it’s easier in one respect without job expectations but knowing that my time is limited and the length unknown, is disorienting at times. Back to practice!!
Always a beginner in this. There have been times in my life when this was easier. But often there was still some expectation or goal to which I surrendered the outcome. In retirement, it’s easier in one respect without job expectations but knowing that my time is limited and the length unknown, is disorienting at times. Back to practice!!
Exactly!
I know the feeling,
dear Barb. 🙂
As a child,
growing up in comfort relative to the rest of the world,
I imagined and expected
to live the American Dream,
with a husband,
laughing children,
a dog,
and maybe a cat
in a little house with a white picket fence
and geraniums in the windows.
The nightmare of the truth
didn’t happen until twenty years later.
From there,
for a long time,
there was no hope,
and not a single expectation . . .
I grew up.
Now,
tempered by age and disappointment,
as well as a renewal of hope,
I have learned
that expectations
are nothing but clouds in the sky.
When the air cleared
of the clouds and the fireworks and the smoke,
I never imagined
that I’d be where I am now,
let alone
be alive at all.
Most of my former lovers are dead,
as well as whatever they carried in their hearts.
I alone,
stand here with arms open to the future,
embraced by a semblance of safety
that I did not believe I would find again.
I have a Life of quality . . .
a life I can live with.
I only have wonder,
but no expectations
as to how or when
I will leave all of this bounty behind. ♥
❤️☀️
I think what challenges me the most are the expectations I always seem to have for myself. It’s important for me to check into my monkey mind often and calm those self talk voices that say I have to be perfect to be loved. I have to remind myself that they are usually ganging up on that little girl who has always been there for me. As my mentor taught me, “There is a part of you that has never been afraid, call it forth.” Expectations are seldom in the present moment. They are always about reliving the past or anticipating the future. This reminds me that forgiveness doesn’t free the person I forgive. It frees me.
”This reminds me that forgiveness doesn’t free the person I forgive. It frees me.”
This is such an important thing to remember,
dear Carol Ann.
Thank you . . .
Namaste ♥
I don’t know about fewer expectations a this moment but today I finally renewed my passport!! I hope to plan a trip spring of 2027 back to Scotland! My car will be paid off in October this year!🎉
Good for you Robin Ann!
I’d like to go to Scotland too! Glad you’re moving ahead with your plans.
I have spent my life, expecting the worst. Fretting over how things could go wrong. Until it was pointed out to me, that things have generally worked out for me. The evidence is clear. Even when things may have initially not gone to plan. In fact, some of the best stuff has come out of these moments of disappointment or chaos. Seriously, why should I worry ether way? If I can just be open and available to all experiences and whatever may come, and be prepared to be present. Planning and then letting it unfold however it may unfold. Loosening my grip on the illusion of control.
“ Even when things may have initially not gone to plan. In fact, some of the best stuff has come out of these moments…”
Yes, I have had a similar experience Charlie!
You are right,
dear Charlie . . .
expectations
can take us down both rabbit holes,
both positive
and negative.
I love that you brought this up. ♥
“Loosening my grip on the illusion of control.” Powerful phrase, Charlie!
I prepare for the day or night and in between. If it turns out well, I rejoice. If it is a challenge, I find the lesson and deal with the consequences.
I think there is a difference between planning and expecting. Plans are what I am trying to accomplish–I need a roadmap and a schedule. However, to me expectation is entitlement. I plan and I leave myself open to possibility. It’s not willy nilly– I participatie AND I trust that sometime the road will fork and hairpin.
“ I plan and I leave myself open to possibility…” that is beautiful, I can relate!!!
Yes, “Expectation is entitlement”.
This puts into words much of what I have felt for a long time. Thank you 🙏
Plans and expectations have played a huge part in my life. When they work out (as I planned) it is great. But I’ve noticed it’s the times when they don’t – that’s where the great stories of my life, the adventures begin…the surprises within the plans, or the failed expectations. There are lots of words of wisdom in the comments of this reflection already. I “expect” to read even more as the day unfolds. Gratitude is key for me.
Expectations and gratefulness are the path. My life is a car, and I’m driving it. To approach my life with fewer expectations, I steer the wheel toward gratefulness. For example, instead of expecting that I’d have a pet dog and then being upset because I can’t have one, I’m grateful for the cute succulents that I have. They’re growing up healthily and beautifully. Happy Monday to all! ☺
Yes, appreciation for what is.
My Ngoc, everything has a way of working out when all said and done.
The theme of yesterday’s RLM mens meeting was by-passing religion. Brandon said that man uses it to control the masses. This is coming from a Christian. Religion was meant to promote moral living through levity. Man turned it into a bad thing and made the practices feel heavier than it needs to be. The purpose of RLM is to return it to its original purpose and expand upon that. As far as meetings go, each guy gets his turn to speak in the alphabetical order for first name whether it’s A-Z or Z-A.
When my turn came, I got the house rocking with my NBA insider’s lesson. Long story short. I talked about how I stood by the Lakers through Kobe’s twilight years into the early days of the LeBron era and how I stopped being a fan of them after the way LeBron made them worse and a public embarrassment at the same time all to bring in his son after the 2020 bubble championship against the Miami Heat. It’s nice to be a Lakers fan again after the king has moved on. The Lakers have just made a series of signings in young athletic players such as: Center, Walker Kesler, Guard, Collin Sexton, and 3 and D Guard, Quentin Grimes to surround Luka Doncic and homegrown undrafted hero, Guard, Austin Reaves. No more Buss children owning the team. They have a new owner now in Mark Wolter who also owns the LA Dodgers baseball team. When the Lakers are good or have less drama, the NBA is better.
With all that being said, God knows how to teach us life lessons through our interests. I thank him for all the insiders scoop. It helps me understand those who don’t like sports better and stay ahead of the game. Several guys from the mens group were drunk on the spirit by showing great enthusiasm from my NBA insiders lesson like: Jason Walker, Jesse Pierce, David, Timmothy V, and Brandon.
The cherry on top came when Timmothy V made a post with the scoreboard “Religion 0 Basketball 10,000pts” dedicating it to me. I replied sending my thoughts and prayers to LeBron James praying for him to be able to sign with a team as fans await during free agency. They only have positive emoji responses. After posting that, I got 5 of them within not even an hour. Brandon was laughing along with me giving me an ROFL. It stands for “Rolling on the floor laughing.”
Acceptance for what is.
Peace, Love & Light.
How did you get there,
dear Joseph? ♥
By letting go of expectations and using the method of letting go. I can’t imagine how difficult it used to be to let go without an actual method. Thank you for reminding me to see how grateful this moment is . Flowing like a river is possible with the method . Thank you . 🤩
Is your method something you have learned here through this site? Or somewhere else? I’m curious.
Katrina there is also a method from Contemplative Outreach:
https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/
All about letting go
Dear Katrina ,
Grateful you asked and no it is from a meditation center I go to in Stockholm, however I heard about it through my sister and her husband who attended the center in Arlington, Virgina in the USA. We have centre’s in every continent.
Here is the link :
https://onlinemeditationevents.com/locations/
Where are you located?
I can approach life with fewer expectations by practicing to try and not have any expectations. This is not always easy but try and try again.
Wishing all a great Monday 🙂
Amen