Expectation
•
Expected conquests realized
lack the succulence of sweet surprise.
Move boldly in life,
no expectations,
filled with wonder,
open to ecstasy.
…
Rob Kistner © 10/22/01
Expectation
•
Expected conquests realized
lack the succulence of sweet surprise.
Move boldly in life,
no expectations,
filled with wonder,
open to ecstasy.
…
Rob Kistner © 10/22/01
Ah, yes – move boldly in life, filled with wonder and open to ecstasy – great philosophy! (But it’s hard not to have expectations).
Very uplifting piece. If only I could remain that open. Lovely site you have here!
Tara / GZ –
Yes, it is hard to put aside expectation. But if one examines it carefully, one will discover expectation is a trap. One often-overlooked negative aspect of expectation is that it robs you of joy – the joy of surprise. About the best you get if you really expected something, in the full sense of the word’s meaning, is relief.
Expectation is a variation on the word expect. I believe we set ourselves up for great disappointment if we “expect”. We are temporal beings, living in a temporal world, both being imperfect.
If you look up the complete definition of the word “expect†you will see it has an element of “control” and “entitlement†– both highly unreasonable in light of reality. We can’t control the imperfect, and we are fundamentally entitled only to the life we were given.
As a society we have made agreements with each other that we are entitled not only to life, but also liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – key word being “pursuitâ€. But bottom line, we’re given only life we enter this world, the rest we must strive for – and hope.
Vast numbers of people are disillusioned because they “expect”. It is far better to “anticipate†because that has the elements of both “flexibility†and “resilience†— two very powerful words that lead to a healthy mind and soul.
Move boldly, in other words be strong, give life all you got. Be full of wonder – this allows for the unexpected, including remarkable positive possibilities.
Be open to ecstasy. Simply put, if something truly incredible happens accept it and embrace it – “own†it. So many people miss the exceptional because they don’t believe it, or can’t handle it, or don’t believe they’re worthy when it appears.
That’s my reasoning behind my poem “Expectationâ€.
The “and so it goes†that accompanies my signature is my shorthand for this philosophy I embrace. It reminds me every time I write it that I do not control life, nor should I regret life. It simply happens, and I should simply live it – but boldly.
–and so it goes—
…Rob