I am discovering how expectation and exasperation are joined. It is not the I wasn’t previously aware of the relationship between these two, I was. The difference is now I am noticing how frequently I have expectations. It is happening pretty much ALL the time lately!
William Shakespeare said, “Expectation is the root of all heartache.” He is not alone in this thought. There are ancient texts from India that tell us, “when our expectations are not met we experience suffering.”
I understood these concepts intellectually; they made sense to me. Now I am living them. I never really get the lesson nor the freedom and healing it brings until I begin to move away from the intellect into living the teaching. My Native American friends call this, “Walking the talk.” In this instance this means if only half of my expectations are met then I have exasperation the other times that they are not met. Believe me, my expectations are not realized even half of the time. That translates to me being in a state of exasperation most of the time! I don’t know about you, but I find that a tense and difficult reality.
What to do? The easy answer is let go of expectations. Be present to what is happening without expecting anything. Sounds completely achievable, right? Why then is it a challenge? Maybe it has to do with living the teaching rather than intellectualizing it. My plan is to surrender fully to the lessons of expectations and exasperation. I have no doubt they will show me the way.
Thoughtful post….
Perhaps it’s a question of influences. Which influences dominate an individual and how much of the non-transitioned ego is at play? All expectations are conditional to the chosen influences.
Rob, Thank you for your input. I will incorporate your thoughts into my process of living expectations and exasperation.