We all have expectations in life. When we are starting a new job/school, meeting a new person, entering a new situation; we all have an expectation. Sometimes our expectations are high. Sometimes they are low. Often they are wrong even if we never take the time to admit it later.

These expectations can cause us anxiety. They can cause us fear. They can cause us to doubt ourselves. Often our expectations will color our view and unbeknown to us, we might even force the outcome we expect. You know it happens because weather you admit it or not your expectations become your reality.

You expect someone to be a certain way either friend or enemy. Everything they do can be shaped to fit that view. Right or Wrong.

You expect to hate your job. You will hat your job. Right or Wrong.

You expect people to treat you a certain way. You will accept it when they do. Right or Wrong.

But what if we stop going into things with expectations. With preconceived notions of what will happen thereby giving excuses, narratives, and shaping the outcome? What if instead of great expectations, we decide to just let things (friendships, jobs, training, life) just develop the way they are meant to be?

What if we live life with the motto….

It will be what it will be.

Hmmmm……

Now I am not saying that we don’t prepare for new meetings, new jobs, new events; but what if while preparing we just take the ending out of our thought process?

I’m beginning training for NY. I’m not sure what to expect this time around. I’m another year older. I will be starting a new medication shortly. Going back to the beginning with my training with no expectations has actually improved my running. It’s taken so much of what I thought I could or could not do and put it’s on it’s head. What if as I push myself to train for NY, I continue just to take expectations off the table? What if each run becomes a run of it’s own and not the be end of all the my training? What if I just accept each day for the day that it is and stop questioning what it means in the whole scheme of things? What if….

What if…..

I just enjoy each day, each run for the gift that it is?

As I gear up to turn 50 in 5 days, I keep thinking of where I am in life, in my relationships, in my running, and what it all means. So many people are looking for the meaning of life and all that it entails. It’s purpose. Expectations of where they would be at a certain point in their journey, what they were or are doing with their life, ect, ect.

What if the purpose of it all is just to live. Live without expectations that color our views. Live Well. Do your best at all you can. Treat others fairly and kindly…… and most of all be happy with all that you have even if it doesn’t live up to your expectations because your expectations are not reality unless you choose for them to be.

What if the expectations are what is holding you back and we should live by my two favorite sayings…

It is what it is

and

Live, Laugh, Love