Choose a Better Life

Having planned several women’s retreats, I’m always excited when I get to attend one just as a guest.  Once such opportunity arose and all I had to do was hare part of my story on the final morning.  How wonderful it was not to have to coordinate any of the details.

After getting settled the first evening, I was disappointed to find there was virtually no structure to the night’s activities.  In fact, there was little apparent structure the entire weekend.  Some things were given a timeline. Meals, for example, had to be eaten at specific times.  But, overall, the activities seemed to be quite loosy-goosy.

About half way through the retreat I realized I was getting increasingly frustrated and that this frustration was hindering my enjoyment of the weekend.  So, I took some time to adjust my attitude and decided to look for the good things that could come from spending time with these women.

I am so thankful I did.  I ended up sitting and chatting with a woman for several hours.  I was able to hear her story and her heart’s desires.  It was a precious time with a new friend.

This event reminded me that when we enter a situation with expectations we are, in essence, saying I have needs (real or perceived) and you (or the situation) need to meet them.  If/when those needs are not met our tendency is to become indignant and put up walls.  Those walls block us from any good thing that may be happening around, or to, us.

We carry expectations with us when we attend events, go on vacations, travel for business, attend meetings, make presentations, buy new items, etc.  Without our even being aware of them, expectations follow us everywhere.

One area expectations seem to be the strongest, and tend to do the most damage is in our relationships.  Whatever the relationship – spouse, friend, family member – we desire, and often think, the other person should meet our needs.  And oftentimes we believe the other person should know our needs/desires without our even telling him.  When those needs/desires are not met, we get angry or frustrated, put up walls and many times shut down.  What a recipe for disaster!

It’s a conscious decision to release our expectations and allow ourselves to be open to the unexpected.

Choose a Better Life by choosing to become aware of your expectations and willfully letting them go.  By doing so, you will enjoy life more and be blessed in ways you did not anticipate.