Disappointment

We live in a world of high expectations. It seems that we set our expectations far beyond a reasonable level to make goals for ourselves. That's very commendable if we have the ability to meet those expectations. We're taught from a young age that our possibilities are endless, all we need to do is apply ourselves. We each have the opportunities to be whatever we want if only we will try to achieve those lofty goals. If we are born into a family of successful people the expectations rise exponentially relative to other members of the family. A successful neuro-surgeon will beget a more skillful surgeon. A rich hedge fund manager passes his expertise and wealth to his progeny to carry on the tradition. A brilliant trial lawyer gives rise to children who become lawyers as have all their predecessors. Perhaps you are from a family of academia of acclaim, will you join learned colleagues as your dad or mom has done? Maybe you're from a family of plumbers or farmers or soldiers, how soon will you learn to love to use a pipe wrench, tractor or weapon? Will your expectations be higher than your ancestors or will you risk disappointment?
High expectations may lead to insurmountable disappointment. What can we do to combat personal disappointment? How do we deal with not being able to live up to expectations? We must ask ourselves; when we live with perceived expectations do we have the courage to ask if they are realistic for us? Perhaps we simply lack the aptitude to achieve our expectations. Having been a witness to the success of others we may be turned off by the price they paid for their success. How ever we choose to view our "live happily ever after" mindset, we will set the tone for our coping with under-achieved expectations. A brave personal assessment of our success is essential to avoiding the disappointment tied to high expectations. We sometimes build a fairy tale world in our minds. When we find that we are not the "prince/princess" of our dreams, and that our "princess/prince" may never come, it is often difficult to deal with the disappointment. We desperately seek an escape from our reality. A part of the pharmaceutical business is built on the promise of making it all better. The old adage, "take two aspirins and call me in the morning" has given way to "here's a anti-depressant to help you cope". We seek escape from the broken dreams of our fairy tale world so that we can "live happily ever after". We look for someone to blame for our inability to live up to our high expectations. We want to put responsibility for our happiness on someone who is incapable of making that dream come true. If you look closely you will see in the mirror who is responsible for your happiness. Your disappointments are often the source of your unhappiness.
If you bow your head,close your eyes, and pray; you will find Someone who will help you cope with the disappointments of life. Coping with disappointment requires that you see beyond your personal perspectives and expectations. Try looking at those around you and trying to imagine the trials they may be facing. When you "love your neighbor as yourself", the fundamental requirements are that you love God and yourself. God teaches you how to love yourself by turning your attention to those in need around you. There's a certain gratification that comes from helping others help themselves. First, you are not turned inward, concentrating on self at the expense of others and second, you are demonstrating the basic commandments of God.
Jesus came to illustrate Love, to show people the importance of Love for one another. He taught a genuine regard for others. Jesus sees the needs of people, in Matthew 9:35-38, "Jesus now traveled through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of illness and disability. As he looked at the vast crowds he was deeply moved with pity for them, for they were as bewildered and miserable as a flock of sheep with no shepard. 'The harvest is great enough,'he remarked to his disciples, 'but the reapers are few. So you must pray to the Lord of the harvest to send men out to reap it.'" Jesus sees the same bewilderment and misery today. Love your neighbor. Teach him the Word. Be a reaper. Be a shepard. Be grateful. Love God.