Great Expectations
Fellow blogger Debbie has a great post about your expectations and how to be careful to not let yourself feel down when those expectations are not met. She’s specifically talking about a writers conference and pitching to agents. But I think her advice applies to thousands of situations… don’t get so lost in your expectations that you miss out on the good things in life. While you’re looking for one thing you may miss out on something fabulous over there.
I think the reverse is true as well. You can expect nothing and gain everything. It’s sort of like going shopping…knowing you’ll see those gorgeous shoes you’re totally in love with. Even though you can’t afford them, you go anyway. You have no expectation of owning them. But this time when you go they’re on a super sale, and you walk out the door with them on your feet. Now that rocks.
These types of expectations…or lack there of I think is part of the reason romance novels are so popular. Think about it. You’re an average girl, with average hair, a normal nine to five job, a few close friends and a cat who keeps your lap warm at night. You have an eye out for Mr. Right. But you have a long history of dating, boyfriends, the Almost One. Perhaps the one who got away. You’re scraping pennies for your first place or perhaps you’re trying to put your life back together after a divorce. Sound familiar? Your expectations are somewhere along the lines of a heartrate monitor on a guy who just died…flat.
And then bam…
You meet this man (or for the guys out there… a woman) and he/she’s everything you thought you would never find. Perhaps he even annoys you at first. Maybe he swoops in and steals your promotion. Or maybe he’s just some guy you see at the local coffee shop. But as you get to know the person you realize that they compliment you. They’re strong where you’re weak. They’re supportive and exciting. You start to dream big. You start to think that being alone is no fun. Being single is no fun. You’d rather spend time with that special someone who makes a mean omelet. Your expectations start to rise.
And before you know it you’ve been married to this person for five years and you have very great expectations for the future.
Just be sure to follow Debbie’s advice and smell the roses along the way to your 50 year anniversary.
