HJ: Learning to let go of expectations is a process that leads to greater happiness, peace and opportunity. Expectations tend to cut us off from experiencing the true essence of a situation because they keep us locked into judgement. Furthermore, it can cut us off from new experiences due to the fact that when we are expecting things to happen in a certain way, we tend to overlook alternative scenarios that may in fact be better than what we originally had hoped for. The universe is filled with unlimited potential and when we attach to specific expectations, we hone in on only a small sliver of possibility that does not allow for the complete expression of the consciousness and serendipity of the all-that-is. No matter how expansive our vision, we can never encompass the complete realm of possibilities available to us.
Expectation also implies a lack of trust in the divine order and nature of things. When we release expectations, we must have full faith in the abundance and perfection of the universe/creator. The only alternative to expectation is to trust that exactly what we need at any given moment is being given to us, which is the case whether one believes it or not.
Expectation is conditional, whereas acceptance is unconditional. Expectation is inherently limited, acceptance is unlimited. Expectation implies a lack of trust, acceptance is the epitome of trust.
– Truth
We’re Limiting Ourselves through Expectation
Expectations or a preconceived idea of how we view the future whether it is moments from right now or years from now are always based on personal beliefs that we feel will provide us with a sense of power, control and wholeness within ourselves and the world. It can be expectations within a personal relationship or it can be with how things are unfolding across the planet, it’s relevant to any experience. Let’s take a look at how these beliefs are affecting us. What would happen if we were to let them go?
When we engage in expectation for anything, what tends to happen? Well firstly, it brings us out of the present moment. It clouds our viewpoint and doesn’t really allow us to appreciate what’s in front of us. It can create disappointment as well because we’re not at peace if things don’t go the way as planned. Even though we’re not at peace based on our beliefs, the situation is still always perfect as it allows us to move beyond the limitations of always feeling disappointed, fearful or just emotionally attached to whatever plays out.
When we detach from expectations, it opens up a space of opportunity for us to observe and release the need for external control as well as fear of not liking the outcome or the way things may possibly present. The paradox of this way of thinking is that if we do hold on to the need to control externally and do play with fear, we’re going to create experiences that show us these beliefs because they are limiting us internally. And this is the beauty of what is unfolding across the planet right now. We’re enduring a shift in consciousness that is allowing us to move beyond the old ways of doings things to experience a less limited way of life! When we’re limited internally, we project that consciousness outwards into our lives and the entire world and it affects how we experience everything whether it be mentally, physically and spiritually. The exciting part about this is that we’re not here to be limited anymore. I’m pretty sure that if everyone on the planet were to truly reflect on their lives, everyone would come to a feeling of wanting to be free and live without limitation. We’ve become great at playing a game of survival and separation for so long, but does it have to be this way any longer? Absolutely not!
Everything is always a choice and in letting go, we align with our true essence of flowing and dancing with life. There’s a grand power at work here that we’re all connected through and we’ve become disconnected from it in the sense that we’re holding on to stories in our minds that create veils over this knowing and this connection. We’ve buried our feelings and beliefs and the way society is designed, there’s so much fear and judgement towards one another and our experiences that it’s become very difficult to even just talk to each other and to really work on and move beyond our challenges together. Ironically, love and communication seem like a taboo thing in society in many ways.
[smartads]
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in our needs and wants, our fears, our beliefs of how we need to identify within the world and control our lives. It’s easy because it’s being supported. We’re being bombarded, from all angles, with belief systems of how we should be, feel, think and act. It’s a great experience and challenge for all of us to observe and play with, but internal reflection is the only way to navigate your way out of it. Getting to know who you are through the “soup” of experiences.
If we let it, society can take us away from who we really are, but the power of observation can assist us so well. This is where our true power lies. Our awareness. Our consciousness. It’s like what Morpheus says in the matrix. “You think my muscles have anything to do with how strong or how fast I am?”. It’s so true because they don’t. It’s only if we believe they do.
By becoming aware of these thoughts and beginning to observe how we are limiting ourselves, we can move out of stuck states that we feel. We can move beyond any form of suffering and discomfort. It’s a bit comical to see how we’ve become so used to a specific way of life and how we’ve become comfortable being uncomfortable. But that is changing as well. It’s becoming a lot more difficult to run from, bury or ignore what we’re feeling inside. I think an important direction to take from here is to learn to really be comfortable with everything but not in the way that we’re covering up any uncomfortable feeling with distractions. We have to truly accept everything for what it is. When we do this, it can lead to more opening within us where we get the opportunity to see, feel and connect with everything rather than judge it or fear and misunderstand it. There’s beauty in every situation and every thing on this Earth, but to really know, see and feel that, we need to know see and feel it within ourselves first. What we do internally is how we interact with the outside world. This is why individual change is so important. We’re all one and we’re all connected not just with each other but with everything. The animals, nature, the planet, even the rest of the universe. Everything affects everything. So what do we expect in our lives and how are we viewing it? There’s a power that we all hold far beyond our need to control, it’s a power that is limitless, but it’s just being covered up by our beliefs. Try observing and be excited to see what presents. You just might enjoy not being limited anymore!
Mark
January 29, 2013
Great article!