We all seem to have them. We often times refer to them as ideals, standards, desires etcetera. We place expectations on persons in our various relationships – work, intimate, friendships and associations. Our expectations also cover our environment and personal situations. We develop, use and fulfill expectations consciously and unconsciously.
But we should lower them when individuals consistently disappoint us through them. Scripture says a promise is a comfort to a fool. It’s not that promises are not good and should not be trusted; rather it is highlighting that we ought not to secure any comfort in them. Take them at face value but never make them part of any foundation for anything you are building.
Try not to expose your brokenness to everyone who appears concerned. There are some among us who are meticulously, calculating how to take advantage. The bible refers to them as wolves in sheep’s clothing. Their very appearance is deceptive. Yet expertly camouflaged among actions that are done to keep your focus away from their true intention. “Trust everyone but not the devil in them” quote from the movie ‘The Italian Job’. It simply means to always be on guard.
Everyone has their own personal agenda. So be careful whom you decide to have meetings with. Your time is valuable, therefore you must ensure the desired outcome of both agendas are mutually beneficial. If something is too good to be true it often is. There is no perfect or complete ideal situation or person. Wake up and smell the roses along with the manure at its roots.
Stop being mad at others whom you have ‘claimed’ has lied to you. People are telling us the truth most often. We have just not been interpreting their words and actions correctly. We have, through our perceptions and expectations set ourselves up for disappointment. We have seen the ‘red flags’, warning signs but didn’t pay attention and continued anyway. Willful blindness and negligence. While I’m not defending a pathological liar or one who sells themselves to you like a professional sales man who craftily uses a different sales pitch after assessing his next ‘client….no; rather I’m bringing you to the recognition of how you have contributed to the pain you now feel after the damage has taken effect.
Salespeople who are experts in their craft can read the unspoken language of their potential customers and are even adept at creating an effect having studied and practiced the psychology of the human mind. So too are others experienced in the field of sales among relationships – selling themselves as a product. They have great marketing strategies.
Lower your expectations of others while raising the expectations of yourself. Expectations help us to dream and makes up part of our motivational energy. It gives flame to our ideas and excitement to our dreams, so always separate your expectations of others and those of yourself. The child in us loves and feeds on expectations. Yet the adult in us has to keep reminding that child to assess the source of the expectations origin.
RCWEALTH 