Dealing with the Loss of Expectations

I have had to deal with the loss of expectations a lot lately. I have come to realize that most every day disappointments in life are there because we expected something to be a certain way, like life, marriage, our kids actions, our own actions, our relationships to mom, dad, brothers, sisters, what we thought we'd have by now, where we thought we'd live by now.... etc., etc.. etc... Just realizing that each person is where they are supposed to be, because we all take time to grow in our own way, has been very helpful to me. I don't get mad as quickly or as often at my kids because I am realizing (sometimes as I am telling them what I'd "expected" from them), that just because I think an 11 year old "should" act a certain way emotionally, doesn't mean that my 11 year old is as mature as this theoretical 11 year old in my head. Maybe he needs more time to grow. Maybe I should just treasure him as he is, and love him through the growing time. Isn't that what I want done for me?

So, dealing with the loss of expectations may seem hard at first, but it's oh so worth it! It makes life easier to breathe through, you can relax more, when you realize that life is relevant. Growth is relevant. Breathe. Love who you are now. Love your kids the way they are now. View life as a process.... trust that everyone grows.
Then you are free to savor life.