Note to Self

Someone let me down today. It’s the same old story: you expect someone to do something, counted on it, and plans fell through. It’s not their fault – or maybe it is – but either way there’s some hurt feelings on either side. It’s the kind of thing that dissolves friendships, destroys families, and kills businesses. Okay, maybe I’m being dramatic.

Nevertheless, my mantra today quickly evolved into:

To be fairly honest, I spent some brief moments of self-reflection resulting in some ugly, angry tears. What could I have done to avoid this break in communication? How could I have been better on my end? I beat myself up about it in the minutes I had before I was forced to adult and be the better person.

I learned if I stop expecting, not only can I find peace, but the first step is to…

Life is too short to worry about things that, in the grand scheme of the universe, don’t matter. In the end, I survived and actually had fun, despite the disappointment. I realized I learned a hard lesson today: people will disappoint you.

Let me say that louder for the people in the back: PEOPLE WILL DISAPPOINT YOU. 

So stop expecting them to be what you wanted. Stop expecting them to be something they aren’t. Start expecting yourself to take care of what you need. 

When all is said and done, I will be the person who accomplished what I set out to do, and all others be damned. Truth be told, either help me or get out of my way. I won’t expect your support, nor do I need it.

In a way, I suppose your disappointment was the best lesson I’ve learned in a long time – I owe you my thanks.

Peace begins when expectation ends.