As I thought for far too many days about this topic (in addition to traveling to HOT Virginia), I realized that without expectations there would be no surprises. I really hate the term "expect the unexpected" but I do live by the rule that to have expectations, will guarantee surprises.
Some things will always happen as expected such as:
1. A car with Massachusetts license plates will drive crazily.
2. A usually quiet baby will scream at the worst possible moment.
3. An outdoor event without a backup plan leads to rain or even snow.
Every sentient human being has expectations, whether or not they acknowledge them, i.e. the sun will rise tomorrow morning, we grow older every day, the sun will set every day. Although think about the people that were totally expecting the world to end on May 21st: SURPRISE!!
My favorite obituary (and actually I have a few) is that the person "died unexpectedly". Death was definitely in their expectations for that day. Of course what they're saying is that the person was not suffering from a slow moving fatal illness. Still does anyone REALLY expect death even if they have a fatal disease? We're all going to die (maudlin enough for you) but do we really expect to, even if it is imminent. There is something inside even the most suicidal of people that just does not expect to die; hence the sad surprise.
Surprises are both the upside and downside of expectations. On the upside, you didn't expect any more grandchildren and now, surprise, one's on the way. On the downside, you expected to graduate from college (many times perhaps), but, surprise, life got in the way. Love and relationship expectations always have the surprises built right into them. The surprise that I'm not fond of at the present time is you maybe expected to retire independently wealthy and, surprise, not even close.
I guess my conclusion to this ditty (and it certainly needs one) is that we will always have expectations, but how you go through life will be determined by the way you handle the surprises.
This post was done as part of the GBE2 blogging group
Great write Pam. Beth was right, I loved it!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you look at expectations. Everyone has them, but how you look at them or handle them is what matters... Attitude is everything even when it comes to expectations! Very cool!! Thanks for a great read!! Jenn
ReplyDeleteYou always make me smile...and usually giggle, so whenever I click on your stuff, I expect to leave happy. :O)
ReplyDeleteI love how you approached expectations. It sounds like the story of my life!! I love it!! If the weather man forecasts sun, and you are going to an outdoor concert prepare for rain.
ReplyDeleteA great blog!!
Kathy
http://www.thetruckerswife.com/
ADORE YOU! you so make me smile!! Each week is so going to be DISCOVERY TIME! YEAH GBE2!! and this one too! hehe
ReplyDeleteLOL! I have never thought about "dying unexpectedly" in those terms before...that's so true...unless you are a person who obsesses over that sort I thing =/ Great write :)
ReplyDeleteThat made a good read, as I expected that it would of course. More expectations, like expecting that each post from certain blogs will be worth reading, and they are.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of surprises, especially in relation to expectation. As to favourite obits, I love walking around graveyards, and I think mine is 'Fell asleep'. I just like the gentleness, the idea of someone drifting away mid chapter. Excellent read :)
ReplyDeleteLoved your last comment and the way you tied expectations in with surprises.
ReplyDeleteNice, Pam! Sometimes a "change in plans" can be refreshing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all for the nice comments and also @mojo for another obit to add to my collection. Love it,
ReplyDelete"Fell Asleep"!
llaughed right through this blog and hope we may be friends
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your breezy post about expectations. A fun read!
ReplyDeleteSo true, it's how you handle the unexpected.
ReplyDeleteSo many laughs jam-packed into a relatively small package.
ReplyDeleteFrom "massholes" to obituaries, I enjoyed it all. (And that pairing could have gone so horribly awry, looking at the two words now...)
Great write!