Do you have expectations going through everyday life? I know I do. I expect friends and family to behave consistently. I expect to be in a good mood most of the time, and I expect time and traffic to flow. We all know that real life doesn't operate that way. Things don't go as planned or expected, and disappointment and frustration result when expectations aren't met.
How do you handle feeling disappointed? I've spent plenty of my life wasting my energy feeling frustrated and fighting what I cannot change. With a little time and
enlightenment, I've learned that I prefer to release the need to control something I cannot. I like not wasting energy on peaked, heated emotions. That doesn't change the feeling of disappointment, but it does help me to get to a place of acceptance faster.
When it comes to traffic, you have no control over what other drivers are doing. They can make you late and frustrated.
When it comes to friends and family, you can't control them either, but you can talk to them. Take time to assess what you are thinking and feeling in regards to the disappointment. From there, the age old saying, "pick your battles" comes into play. Did the disappointment result because of a failure in communication, a change of plans or disrespect?
If it's anything other than some form of abuse either physical or verbal, I'd say release it, choose love and proceed with life. If the disappointment is a result of disrespect, clear lack of consideration, or some form of abuse, then it's time to speak up and talk about the issue.
People do deserve the benefit of the doubt. We all make mistakes and disappoint, and I say often that I can't live in a world where people aren't allowed to make mistakes.
Take feelings of disappointment in stride and choose love over reacting. You and your relationships will be better as a result. Choose love because you can!
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