Hope and not expectations

​“It's a good place when all you have is hope and not expectations.”
 Danny Boyle


I have been told in the past “You teach what you need to learn!” I do not see myself as a teacher when I write articles for my blog. I see it more as just sharing my story. I must admit though I am learning from my readers by the comments I receive.
 
The following insight struck a nerve because I immediately started reflecting on how this has created a block in my positive approach to creating a life of prosperity. Prosperity for me is not only defined by financial success, but also includes the emotional and spiritual aspects of life as well as living each moment to the fullest. The following is a reader’s comment to last week’s posting on Attitude.
 
“Positive Pops: Attitude is important but please meditate on the word “expectations” because I think I have had to face that in many areas in my life. It can be a positive or negative aspect in your life depending on your attitude that you decide to choose. Therefore expectation comes first and then I decide what to choose. Kind of what comes first the chicken or the egg. So glad you are back.”
Sincerely, Y.G.
 
I realize I have been blessed with having a great attitude about life. I have trained myself to focus on the positive regardless of how overwhelming the challenges may be. However reflecting on the word “expectations” I realize this is an area in which I definitely need some growth because it can certainly create a block in my living a life of abundance and prosperity. For example, I started writing this blog because my wife could not get me to write in a Grandparent’s book that was given to me when our first grandchild was born 18 years ago. At one point I was also encouraged by my spiritual director to write my story in a blog and that could be my story for my family.
 
This new initiative in my life, my Positive Pops Blog, created a whirlwind of expectations three years ago. A few friends started to call to tell me they enjoyed my postings. After that a few people I did not know commented on different topics and said it was helpful to them. That now sparked the success drive in me. A strong ego and a natural positive approach to life fueled this drive. I used these natural gifts to attract a much larger audience. So I set a goal that I would have 2,500 weekly visitors. That is when I realized my expectations were out of control because once that happened, I started to focus on having 3,000 readers.
 
Expectations have always been an issue for me. In my career in sales I developed a Creative Marketing approach to increase sales. Because of the success I was having I expected everyone to use this same approach to marketing. I experienced much disappointment when I would travel to other areas of the country and there was very little interest in this marketing strategy.
 
I had the same high level of expectations when we were in leadership in the Church. We were so excited about the experience of being a team in Marriage Encounter. When other couples were invited to be a part of this leadership, I could not understand how they could turn it down.
 
This same high level of expectations often leads to disappointment with family and friends. My awareness is now heightened in my realization that this is definitely an area on which I need to continue to reflect and make positive changes.
 
You may want to note a few areas in which you have expectations in yourself and others and how that is holding you back from living a life of abundance.