I have figured out in my life that my biggest challenge is managing expectations. Like, not having any. For any reason. It's a joy sucker. What if we went around life expecting nothing from anyone? Including ourselves. It's a revolutionary thought.
I have an old friend, old as in many years, not old age. Anyway, she told me once when we were talking, well, in truth I was talking, that she had been blessed with no ambition. And she was so glad. When she told me this, I scoffed it off. I was in my 30's and heavily pursuing the heights of a career I had dedicated my life to. Years of school, work, climbing a ladder, working endless hours to attain the pinnacle of my field. At the time, I didn't get what she was saying.
I get it now.
She was not driven. She just...was. She lived life content where she was and with whom she was. Present, in that very moment. Not thinking about where she needed to be, the next step she needed to make, the plan she needed to execute to succeed.
She had peace.
Something I lacked for most of my life. I expected a lot of myself, of my children, of my employees, of my LIFE and when I or one of those in my sphere of influence fell short, it was an opportunity to point it out. To pull up the bootstraps. To work harder. Never even taking a moment to realize how far I, or we, had come. What we had accomplished. We didn't meet the expectation and therefore we had failed.
And the cycle continued.
Until, well, a wise guru friend of mine told me to stop repeating the pattern. Start believing that what has happened, what is...is enough. Believe that the universe, Source, God has only good for you, regardless of circumstances.
You have a co-worker that gossips about you and tries to destroy your career? Instead of seeking revenge, maybe Source is telling you this place of business is not the right fit. Stop trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Your car breaks down? Instead of being frustrated, realize maybe Source protected you from a car accident. Trust that God is divinely protecting you and ...here it comes....
All things happen for a purpose. And that purpose? To grow you to your authentic self. It takes pruning. Overcoming adversity. Self-care. Developing boundaries. Gratitude. And work to believe in yourself.
No expectations. Just you. You are enough and that is more than enough.
Perhaps if I repeat it another 1000 times....
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