Expectations in the Wrong Direction

If there’s anything about expectations that I’m fearful, it’s about not being able to live up to becoming the best that I can be, for the right reasons, of course. I’m convicted that life is short (the Bible says that as well) & if we don’t keep track of where we are heading, we might end up getting to the wrong place after all the time we had spent. That’s my expectation of my life.

There’s another side, which involves others’ expectations of me… & the world is ever-increasingly emphasizing this aspect about not just meeting others’ expectations, but exceeding their expectations. And that puts a lot of pressure on us, don’t you think? And it not just becomes an unhealthy pressure (if overboard), it comes an increasing pressure to the detriment of both parties in the end.

For the employee, this places the bar higher & higher for him to meet, giving him more unhealthy stress & pressure… & who knows, may even cost him to lose his job. It isn’t about improving anymore, but it becomes about chasing others’ wants which end up driving him crazy! Ask anyone who works for customers who think they are simply the king, just because they pay money…

For the customer, this increases his appetite for being treated like a king (unfortunately, an encouragement that doesn’t last long & he ends up comparing sooner or later), causing him to think too highly of himself, just because he pays some money. This leads to an ever-growing greed or desire for more & better. If not, he becomes unhappy & dissatisfied. And that doesn’t just influence his likings, but his perception about people & things as well. See the danger?

In the end, both parties end up becoming more & more unsatisfied. And in our present society today, one of the most difficult to find are people who are thankful & appreciative about what they have in life. See how unhealthy this can get?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that expectations are bad… but I personally think it depends on whether it is a healthy & constructive expectation. Anything wrongly encouraged, ends up having the wrong outcome.

At times, I experience this in my own life & it brings me confusion about how complicated Man has made this world out to be. And sometimes I feel in despair at all the mess that this world is creating on its own. I can’t change all that’s around me, yet I know I want to be different. I want to do constructive things & improve in a healthy manner.

Thus, when I heard this words being spoken by Chloe Sullivan, while watching ‘Smallville’, those words just jumped out at me… & she said -

“The thing about expectations is they are supposed to drive you to do more with your life, not stop you from living it. Personally, I think the future holds a lot more promise for you, than you give it credit.”

Sounds profound, but I find it true. I think that even though there are so many crazy happenings around, it is still wrong & to our loss, if we lose hope in what we can do in this world. Even though I’m not Superman doesn’t mean that I have to lose hope in life, not especially since God is the One who gave me life.

Of course, it’s easier said than done, especially when it comes to saying that to a disabled, blind or even paralyzed person. Yes, believe me, I have thought about that. And makes all the sense in the world, that we thank God that we are able to do much more, given that He has given us so much even now… Don’t you think?