The wonderful opportunity to find true love in my late 70’s. I receive it with an open heart and thank the universe for adding this dimension back into my life.
I think my self confidence and ability to publicly speak confidently! I used to be very shy and timid and would never take initiate to take on a leadership role. I started my own physical therapy practice last year – something I would have never imagined. I’m amazed my growth in ability to take risks and not be comfortable. To be comfortable with being uncomfortable!
I’m also amazed at my self awareness and ability to have a more positive and hopeful mindset about my circumstances. It’s easy to complain and always find the negative or try to want more than what you have. But I’m amazed in my growth and ability to create my own narrative to my own circumstances in a more positive light.
My success. I never thought I would get into my dream college or have a beautiful boyfriend who loves me. I know my success will never be easy to keep, but I am grateful for it and will strive to uphold it.
Today is my birthday, a perfect time for this reflection. I have the privilege of starting my 44th trip around the sun today. A few things that have surpassed my expectations in life:
-How at peace I feel in nature
-The bond I share with my cats
-My love of music
And lastly, I did not expect to feel this alone in life. I don’t mean this in a bad way, just that I always felt like a ‘solo traveler’ when I was younger. I thought I’d grow out of that feeling eventually, but it sticks with me to this day.
The first thing that comes to mind is my physical body. I recently became sick and felt so terribly awful yesterday. Body aches and pain and chills, couldn’t sleep and didn’t want to eat. Now, I feel like myself again. I feel this burst of energy and it made me realize that I don’t want to sit around and wait for life to happen. For me, I’ve struggled with self confidence and feeling incapable of achieving my goals. But if I really sit here and think, I can come up with numerous occasions of when I surpassed my expectations. I’m more than capable and I have to remind myself of that.
Jenifer, I, too, have had that struggle with self confidence even though I have proved to myself several times, that I can and have accomplished a lot. It still raises its head from time to time.
My expectations for my life have changed drastically over the years. I think our religion, culture and tradition determine our expectations when we are young adults and we are making and miss-making many decisions that impact us for years. That said, it was the loss of many of my dreams that stimulated my willingness to grow spiritually and now in the winter of my life, my deepest wish is to evolve so the energy that will be released when I pass will contain some wisdom. There was a meditation from Richard Rohr about the importance of one’s ancestors that I want to share with you. I felt it in my bones! https://cac.org/daily-meditations/ancestors-and-wisdom/
Thank you for reminding me of RR’s article. I really enjoyed reading and reflecting the theme last week on mentors. It is because I have had so many wonderful folks in my life that I am where I am in this winter of my life.
Thank you, dear Carol. I recall from my youth being at weddings and looking at the elders attending. My lovely wife Cheryl and I were among them at the wedding celebration of a longtime friend and her family. We are among the elders now. That reflection of ancestor’s has brought my pondering mind from yesterday full circle. Thank you again.
Going back to childhood expectations, or ideas of what it meant to be an adult, I’ve surpassed some and fallen short in others but I choose not to beat myself up for those. In more recent years I’ve worked to avoid setting expectations, which can be a source of disappointment. I’d rather accept what comes and make the best of it.
Another way of asking this might be what has surprised me about myself. I wouldn’t have guessed in high school that I would turn out to be a patient, kind and responsible adult. I might have expected it if I had realized just how strong an influence my mom had on me as a role model but as a teenager my intention was to be different from my parents, not like them.
I also likely wouldn’t have expected that I would go on to be an elected official, although I was already politically oriented. I was (and am) more oriented toward activism, which is a collective community effort. Turns out you need a community to get elected, too.
I definitely surpassed my expectation for the number of husbands I would have. Third time’s the charm!
I never expected any of this. Mostly, I’m
thinking of the material things. A house, a
car, a job that pays, etc… all of this is really
beyond any expectations I had when I
was young. Maybe this says something
about my low self esteem. Or maybe it’s
a reflection of my basic values. On some
level, this stuff isn’t that important to me
and it’s definitely not part of my identity.
Now, the important stuff, like having a
loving relationship and staying connected
to friends, has also exceeded my
expectations. As I write this, it strikes me
that all of this has been unexpected and
beyond my expectations. Again, maybe
this is just my low expectations. I don’t
recommend this attitude, as I think it
is just a symptom of mild depression,
but like most things, there’s an upside.
All of my life appears as a gift.
What are expectations in life? you’re born, you grow, go to school and learn, you fall in love, you get a job, start a family, have good times and bad times in life, people you love die.
Nothing I can think of that ‘surpasses’ all of that? Resiliency comes to mind.
Enjoy the weekend everyone. It’s Nat’l Waffle and Peach Pie Day.
Michele, I love your answer. It’s very short, sweet, and straight to the point like a lot of them. Everyone, myself included to a varying degree, makes life more complicated than it needs to be. It’s why we have so many 1st world problems these days.
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The wonderful opportunity to find true love in my late 70’s. I receive it with an open heart and thank the universe for adding this dimension back into my life.
Being independent as I am for 22 years now!
I think my self confidence and ability to publicly speak confidently! I used to be very shy and timid and would never take initiate to take on a leadership role. I started my own physical therapy practice last year – something I would have never imagined. I’m amazed my growth in ability to take risks and not be comfortable. To be comfortable with being uncomfortable!
I’m also amazed at my self awareness and ability to have a more positive and hopeful mindset about my circumstances. It’s easy to complain and always find the negative or try to want more than what you have. But I’m amazed in my growth and ability to create my own narrative to my own circumstances in a more positive light.
My success. I never thought I would get into my dream college or have a beautiful boyfriend who loves me. I know my success will never be easy to keep, but I am grateful for it and will strive to uphold it.
My expectations are exactly what need to be let go of. I’m so grateful that I have found the means and method or letting go of myself.
Today is my birthday, a perfect time for this reflection. I have the privilege of starting my 44th trip around the sun today. A few things that have surpassed my expectations in life:
-How at peace I feel in nature
-The bond I share with my cats
-My love of music
And lastly, I did not expect to feel this alone in life. I don’t mean this in a bad way, just that I always felt like a ‘solo traveler’ when I was younger. I thought I’d grow out of that feeling eventually, but it sticks with me to this day.
Happy belated wishes wishes Lauryn!
Thanks all! I had a lovely day relaxing at the beach ⛱️ 😎
Happy birthday Lauryn!
Happy Birthday! May the blessings keep rolling in!
Happy Birthday! I hope this next trip is the best one yet!
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday Lauryn !
Happy Birthday, Lauryn. Blessings always and all ways.
Happy birthday, Lauryn Steph Curry.
Happy birthday Lauryn!
The first thing that comes to mind is my physical body. I recently became sick and felt so terribly awful yesterday. Body aches and pain and chills, couldn’t sleep and didn’t want to eat. Now, I feel like myself again. I feel this burst of energy and it made me realize that I don’t want to sit around and wait for life to happen. For me, I’ve struggled with self confidence and feeling incapable of achieving my goals. But if I really sit here and think, I can come up with numerous occasions of when I surpassed my expectations. I’m more than capable and I have to remind myself of that.
Jenifer, I, too, have had that struggle with self confidence even though I have proved to myself several times, that I can and have accomplished a lot. It still raises its head from time to time.
My expectations for my life have changed drastically over the years. I think our religion, culture and tradition determine our expectations when we are young adults and we are making and miss-making many decisions that impact us for years. That said, it was the loss of many of my dreams that stimulated my willingness to grow spiritually and now in the winter of my life, my deepest wish is to evolve so the energy that will be released when I pass will contain some wisdom. There was a meditation from Richard Rohr about the importance of one’s ancestors that I want to share with you. I felt it in my bones!
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/ancestors-and-wisdom/
Thank you for reminding me of RR’s article. I really enjoyed reading and reflecting the theme last week on mentors. It is because I have had so many wonderful folks in my life that I am where I am in this winter of my life.
Carol, it is because of you that I signed up for Richard Rohr’s meditations. They are all so insightful and interesting. Thank you!
SunnyPatti, I agree. They are insightful. I’ve been reading Richard’s book and meditations for years.
Thank you, dear Carol. I recall from my youth being at weddings and looking at the elders attending. My lovely wife Cheryl and I were among them at the wedding celebration of a longtime friend and her family. We are among the elders now. That reflection of ancestor’s has brought my pondering mind from yesterday full circle. Thank you again.
You are most welcome, Joseph.
Going back to childhood expectations, or ideas of what it meant to be an adult, I’ve surpassed some and fallen short in others but I choose not to beat myself up for those. In more recent years I’ve worked to avoid setting expectations, which can be a source of disappointment. I’d rather accept what comes and make the best of it.
Another way of asking this might be what has surprised me about myself. I wouldn’t have guessed in high school that I would turn out to be a patient, kind and responsible adult. I might have expected it if I had realized just how strong an influence my mom had on me as a role model but as a teenager my intention was to be different from my parents, not like them.
I also likely wouldn’t have expected that I would go on to be an elected official, although I was already politically oriented. I was (and am) more oriented toward activism, which is a collective community effort. Turns out you need a community to get elected, too.
I definitely surpassed my expectation for the number of husbands I would have. Third time’s the charm!
Thanks, Barb
I never expected any of this. Mostly, I’m
thinking of the material things. A house, a
car, a job that pays, etc… all of this is really
beyond any expectations I had when I
was young. Maybe this says something
about my low self esteem. Or maybe it’s
a reflection of my basic values. On some
level, this stuff isn’t that important to me
and it’s definitely not part of my identity.
Now, the important stuff, like having a
loving relationship and staying connected
to friends, has also exceeded my
expectations. As I write this, it strikes me
that all of this has been unexpected and
beyond my expectations. Again, maybe
this is just my low expectations. I don’t
recommend this attitude, as I think it
is just a symptom of mild depression,
but like most things, there’s an upside.
All of my life appears as a gift.
The peace I can find deep within myself. Bless you all.
That there is so much to learn and enjoy.
So very true!
Always!
What are expectations in life? you’re born, you grow, go to school and learn, you fall in love, you get a job, start a family, have good times and bad times in life, people you love die.
Nothing I can think of that ‘surpasses’ all of that? Resiliency comes to mind.
Enjoy the weekend everyone. It’s Nat’l Waffle and Peach Pie Day.
Michele, I love your answer. It’s very short, sweet, and straight to the point like a lot of them. Everyone, myself included to a varying degree, makes life more complicated than it needs to be. It’s why we have so many 1st world problems these days.
Healing and contentment.
My sister who called me this morning. Ever grateful for her smile, her love, her soul.