Hope Vs. Expectations

I’ve felt for years that I have been given the message from a variety of sources that it was not OK to have expectations. That expectations were a form of judgment which led only to power struggles and control issues. As much as I’ve tried to, I have not been able to remove expectations from my life. As with many things in my personal life experiences, as well those I’ve shared with bodywork and coaching clients, I’ve once again found that my struggles are mathematical. They come from trying to eliminate something, when I need to add something. There are definitely times, when we need to rid ourselves of things like toxins, chaotic schedules, goals & dreams that our not our own and addictions. But, I’ve found that the big shifts in life come from choosing with awareness to add the things that will nurture our growth the best. Of course we do need to let go (exhale) before we receive (inhale). But, constant focus on elimination can foster feelings of deprivation, which lead to a spiritual hyperventilation, where we are gasping and grabbing for answers in panic.

The discernment between hope and expectations would seem to be simple one. Though my observation is, that we live in a commercial culture which demands that we be constantly trained and programmed to have expectations and feel that those expectations are not being met. It helps to simply remember that the quality of what we create is based on our choices.

Here are some ways to better choose Hope over Expectations.

1. Realize hope as an act of prosperity consciousness. By being open to what life offers as a gift, you can experience more faith and gratitude in the bountiful nature of our world.

2. Know that sometimes the things we hope for do not always manifest exactly as we vision them. Allow yourself the childlike wonder of being surprised at what appears and trusting that what we receive has a purpose we may not easily understand at first.

3. Prepare yourself equally for an answer of yes or no when requesting things from others. This allows you be more confident that they will give without resentment and you can receive without guilt.

4. Accept all experiences as a gift. Whether an experience is positive or negative it offers you a lesson, energy and incentive for change, or an opportunity to feel your feelings. (Or as songwriters like myself joke, no matter how awlful something was, I at least got a good song out of it.)

As I approach this new year, it is with a deep sense of gratitude that I feel toward all of you for the privilege of being in touch with you.

Wishing you a New Year of Joy !