The old saying goes: Too much expectation breeds frustration. My mother's voice echoes the same: "You had your expectations too high, that's why you feel so lost."
But here's what they never said: Lack of expectation breeds stagnation.
Expectation isn't the problem; it's not the villain we've made it out to be. I've carried that warning in my head for years: Don't expect too much, or you'll just sign up for a rollercoaster of disappointment.
But the real issue is our emotional attachment. They should've told us: Don't tie too much of your heart to what you expect. Just let your expectations breathe.
Now, I view expectation as a catalyst for growth. Without it, we risk becoming stagnant; and that bleeds in ways failure never could. Nothing hurts more than being stuck because you're too afraid to dream. Too afraid to fail. Too afraid to hope. Yet it is in the falls that we build. It's in the expectations that we grow.
By managing our emotions, we open doors to clarity, to exploration, to daring. So, the next time fear whispers, "Don't expect too much," remind yourself: Stagnation is far bitter than disappointment.
Expectation is hope. Just don't forget to give yourself a margin of error.
Thank you for reading❤️.
Image: Personal notes inspired by "38 Letters from John D. Rockefeller to His Son".