Expectations
Expectations can be the death of a person. The expectation to be and act a certain way. The expectation to “succeed” and accomplish things that would make other people jealous. People never seem shy about telling you what they think you should do. I know plenty about expectations, seeing that I have just graduated from college a few months ago. Since then, all I’ve heard is about what other people think I should be doing and what is best for my life. Unfortunately for them, I’ve never been one to listen to what other people think.
The expectations that others place on me have always been a source of great stress and anxiety in my life. Even when I think everything else is going great, in the back of my mind I can hear the voices of friends and family telling me what I should be doing and what I’m doing wrong. This isn’t an uncommon feeling and I know most of us have felt this at some point throughout our lives. The question is, how to live peacefully without constant worry and stress about what other people expect of you.
In my spiritual practice, I meditate at least a few time a week (everyday if I can). Meditation is one way that I’m able to clear my head and rid myself of anxieties about the future and my role in it. However, I often find myself falling back into a state of stress when I allow my mind to start racing again. Also, phone calls with family members seem to be one of my biggest issues. I can end up talking to someone for hours, agreeing with all of their suggestions about what I should do with my life yet, at the end of those conversations, I end up stressed and upset that I didn’t stand up for myself and express what it is I want and think.
While I think meditation and a spiritual practice, in general, are the best ways to combat stress and anxieties due to perceived expectations, I think that we first must put ourselves in a certain mindset. We will never be able to accomplish much if we doubt ourselves. We will never truly be at peace if we are of a corrupt mindset.
We must remind ourselves that this is all a game. Life was never meant to be stressful and full of rigid rules and regulations. Life is meant to be enjoyed, played. You have been given the most amazing privilege to live and experience all of the wonders of this world. The expectations others have on you are their projections of what they think is important on to you. Your importance lies within yourself and the love that you have for yourself. That is truly all that matters. Whether you’re happy or unhappy, no one else has the power to change the course of your life except for you.
The universe is a vast and beautiful thing and I can assure you that getting a high paying job, getting married, or having kids is not that point of it. Although I’m certain you can find satisfaction from all of those things, you do not have to let societies expectations influence your own. I come from a long line of people who believe that money will make you happy and the more you have, the less you worry, the better your life will be. But, I know this not to be true. I know that my happiness comes from within and it comes from peace. It comes from the joy of knowing that we are all one, all connected. It comes from knowing that I am not anything other than divine.
Other people will always tell you what they think is best for you, but only you know. Love lives within you and the rules and boundaries of society have no room there. No one will ever know better than yourself, no matter what they tell you. So, the next time you sit down to meditate or find yourself on the phone with your mom, just remind yourself of the light within you. Remind yourself that this is all a game and something to be enjoyed. Don’t allow the pressure of outside expectations to penetrate your peace and true happiness.
The expectations that others place on me have always been a source of great stress and anxiety in my life. Even when I think everything else is going great, in the back of my mind I can hear the voices of friends and family telling me what I should be doing and what I’m doing wrong. This isn’t an uncommon feeling and I know most of us have felt this at some point throughout our lives. The question is, how to live peacefully without constant worry and stress about what other people expect of you.
In my spiritual practice, I meditate at least a few time a week (everyday if I can). Meditation is one way that I’m able to clear my head and rid myself of anxieties about the future and my role in it. However, I often find myself falling back into a state of stress when I allow my mind to start racing again. Also, phone calls with family members seem to be one of my biggest issues. I can end up talking to someone for hours, agreeing with all of their suggestions about what I should do with my life yet, at the end of those conversations, I end up stressed and upset that I didn’t stand up for myself and express what it is I want and think.
While I think meditation and a spiritual practice, in general, are the best ways to combat stress and anxieties due to perceived expectations, I think that we first must put ourselves in a certain mindset. We will never be able to accomplish much if we doubt ourselves. We will never truly be at peace if we are of a corrupt mindset.
We must remind ourselves that this is all a game. Life was never meant to be stressful and full of rigid rules and regulations. Life is meant to be enjoyed, played. You have been given the most amazing privilege to live and experience all of the wonders of this world. The expectations others have on you are their projections of what they think is important on to you. Your importance lies within yourself and the love that you have for yourself. That is truly all that matters. Whether you’re happy or unhappy, no one else has the power to change the course of your life except for you.
The universe is a vast and beautiful thing and I can assure you that getting a high paying job, getting married, or having kids is not that point of it. Although I’m certain you can find satisfaction from all of those things, you do not have to let societies expectations influence your own. I come from a long line of people who believe that money will make you happy and the more you have, the less you worry, the better your life will be. But, I know this not to be true. I know that my happiness comes from within and it comes from peace. It comes from the joy of knowing that we are all one, all connected. It comes from knowing that I am not anything other than divine.
Other people will always tell you what they think is best for you, but only you know. Love lives within you and the rules and boundaries of society have no room there. No one will ever know better than yourself, no matter what they tell you. So, the next time you sit down to meditate or find yourself on the phone with your mom, just remind yourself of the light within you. Remind yourself that this is all a game and something to be enjoyed. Don’t allow the pressure of outside expectations to penetrate your peace and true happiness.
- S.
Comments
Post a Comment