It was a very bumpy flight back to Houston. So much that the flight attendants were buckled up for almost the entirety of the trip. No drinks. No bathroom breaks. Such impeccable timing to treat myself to my first ever domestic first class plane ride, I thought to myself. But at least the seats where really comfortable if I was going to be bouncing and jiggling all the way home. But as with any situation where I’m alone with my thoughts, allow me to share my ponderings as I went through this comfy bumpy ride.
We can easily get stuck in our expectations. Most of us think we know best after all. Worst case – we think we deserve what we expect.
- I’ve earned it.
- I’m told this is how it should be.
- I say this is how it should be.
- This is how it was for them, so same should go for me.
We can also, just as easily, be stuck in what is happening. A victim of circumstance, some would tend to complain about the current state. Make it out like the sky itself is falling, “This is the worst.” Never making any headway as the situations and frustrations just swallow us whole.
Some of us would go the other end of the spectrum where it’s easier to just minimize the situation and ignore the peril. Everyone else is just being dramatic and overreacting. “Big deal, it’s really not that bad.”
But then when we look at the overall picture, when we are calm enough to be able to add all the factors up, everything starts to makes sense.
What would happen if we forced our expectation 100% of the time? We get our way only to be wrong and run straight into a storm.
How many times do we fail to appreciate life’s curveballs as intentional blessings that were steering us clear out of danger all along? A momentary disappointment to save us from a lifetime of misery perhaps?
To a mind that is free enough to entertain possibilities and boldly seek opportunities, foresight is as clear as hindsight.
JC
Live life in the moment, sure! But don’t ever settle with the notion that we’re at the mercy of our circumstances. Whether it be failed expectation, unexpected detours, or unforseen events; let us be intentional with the response.
Question everything and be open to the answers that come.
John Cruz writes... 