Be a Hero – Expectation

Much of how we live rides on our expectations. I am sure you can list disappointments on your fingers and toes. The time when your friends didn’t invite you to the sleepover. The time when your teacher gave you a grade lower than what you thought you deserved. The time that you failed scoring the goal at the final buzzer. The time that the person you had a crush on didn’t like you back. The time your parents let you down with their words. Life will be full of disappointments. We must learn how to not let disappointments determine our attitude towards life. When we face many of life’s discouragements, it’s easy to carry that load with us wherever we go like a heavy backpack full of unnecessary weight. It becomes a burden for everyday living.

The key is to keep your expectation positive and excited for life. The year I graduated from high school my parents wrote me a letter. They wrote a lot of complimentary words and included many memorable moments. But truth be told, I really can’t remember the details of the letter. I remember this one line though that they said at the end: “Theresa, you love life. No matter what you are doing, you always have the best outlook and attitude.” Up to that point, that was the greatest compliment of my life. I will never forget it, even over two decades later.

How do we choose to enjoy the journey? If we expect to be disappointed and we complain, then we create an unhappy environment in our lives. But, as the old saying goes, we must learn how to make lemonade when life gives us lemons. How are you at making the best out of disappointing situations? Have you had the opportunity to rise out of negative feelings and make a fresh start with a positive outlook?

At the beach where we vacation every year, we take the kids to an area with foot fountains. Water sprays up at different levels from different spouts like geysers and sometimes surprises you. I have observed such excitement at this place year after year, not only from my own children but also from other little ones. You can always tell the ones who are the first timers. Their screams pierce the air with thrill! They run around trying to catch the water, wondering if they can outsmart each of the geysers.

This childlike excitement is how we can approach life. Run with joy from one experience to the next. It may not be what you wanted but keep the joy of moving forward until you discover what you’re meant to become and do. Laugh through the tears. Don’t push people away, but let them in. Enjoy your family. Find those friends who encourage you and truly see you. Determine to expect joy even after sadness and disappointment. It’s all part of life, and how we can respond with a good attitude makes a world of difference in our lives and in the lives of others. Heroes know good will prevail in the end, and they are part of making that happen.