Expectations
Jul 1st, 2008 by Larry
Blessed is the man who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.
~ Alexander Pope
This quote is so true. If you think back to the times you were disappointed with someone, you will likely find that the problem lies with your psyche and had nothing to do with the other person. We expect someone to act or behave as we would in a certain situation and when they don’t we get distressed or upset. We assume that they will think and feel as we would in a similar situation and we expect them to behave accordingly.
I have to admit that I’ve had this problem myself from time to time. Knowing it is my expectations that the other person is not living up to doesn’t make it any easier to deal with but we just have to get over it. We need to realize that people don’t feel the same way that we do and we can’t expect them to act as we would.
Expectations are Relationship Killers
It takes work to be in a long-term relationship and the best relationships are ones where expectations are very small. A good relationship with a spouse or family member will only work in a partnership where each person is working in service toward the other with no expectation of anything in return. Nothing will kill a relationship faster than a partner who keeps a mental score card so that he or she can remind the partner of what they did or didn’t do.
The cornerstones of the best relationships are ones where we sever another without regard of our own personal gain. Unconditional service is unconditional love!1
Larry
