Expectations & Possibilities
Phillip Moffitt, in a year of Living Mindfully tells us that “the (mostly unconscious) expectations that fill our mind direct what we pay attention to and how we interpret things, preventing us from living from our intentions”. Expectations can lead to disappointment, defeat, and a heavy burden to carry around. Where do these come from? All over! We’re bombarded by messages that tell us to be this or do that and much is focused on achievement in some way.
Phillip encourages us to think about possibilities instead. While expectations are future and results based, possibilities are present and intention based. I love this quote: “Expectations hold your present sense of well-being hostage to a future that may or may not happen”. Possibilities, on the other hand, allow for more creative and positive living.
Mindfulness exercise
For the next week, tune in to expectations that pop in your head, no matter where they come from, large or small. Notice how they make you feel. Do you feel pressure, tension? You might even write them down. Ask yourself, “Is this helpful?” Decide if you want to make releasing expectations a part of living a mindful life. Start with the small ones and work up to the big ones.
Quote of the week
“Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth, ‘You owe me’. Look what happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky”.
– Hafiz
