A Starting Point.

Once again, I'm looking down the long and winding road ahead. The road is littered with hope, plans, pain, and joy.  There will be long stretches of work, responsibilities and personal commitments. But, there will also be fun stops along the way. Birthdays, anniversaries, vacations, and holidays around every corner. There are different ways to subjectively view the journey ahead. Positively, negatively, with contentment, wrought with frustration.  A friend of mine recently wrote, 'What will mess you up most in life is the picture in your head of how life is 'supposed' to be. Surrender and live out the life that is.' Most fall victim to their own expectations. Both rational and reasonable. Expectations have a way of diminishing one's reality. Tempering achievements and accomplishments. Expectations strip them of the joy and satisfaction they should of brought. I, too, have fallen victim to the curse of expectations.  I often expect life be fair and hard work bear the lion's share. I now see there is little to be gained by waiting on dreams or hoping for fairness. There is little true fairness in the world.  God distributes his gifts unequally and occasionally, with an ironic sense of humor*. Expecting fairness and equality during my lifetime will only leave me waiting, hoping, wishing. I surrender. I cannot will not stop working towards our goals, but I endeavor to enjoy the reality before me. This year, I don't resolve, but do intend to try let go of my expectations of others and most importantly of myself. I will live out the life 'that is', instead of pining for the life that 'should be'.  I have the power to change only that which fits in my hand. In the months to come, I will explore the outreaches of my influence. Better me, better them, better us.

*Yes, I quoted Enoch "Nucky" Thompson.