Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Expectation

ex·pec·ta·tion

[ek-spek-tey-shuhn]

–noun
1.
the act or the state of expecting: to wait in expectation.
2.
the act or state of looking forward or anticipating.
3.
an expectant mental attitude: a high pitch of expectation.
4.
something expected; a thing looked forward to.
5.
Often, expectations. a prospect of future good or profit: to have great expectations.

I realized something over the weekend at the Take Shape Conference.  I have come to expect things to fail, to go wrong, to not work.  Not just weightloss, but alot of things.  If I don't get the client I hoped, if I lose my keys, if my watch breaks.....it's considered par for the course.  That's just how it happens to me.

What is worse than the low expectations, is the acceptance of it.  I will always be overweight, I will always feel alone, I will never be loved....It is a slippery slope!  In no time at all, I can be at the bottom of the slippery hill with my feet rotating like Road Runner, trying to find my grip.

But when I looked up the word I found two interesting things.  EXPECTATION always is something good, high, better, new.  

And it's a noun.  A thing.  It isn't just some concept or high spiritual notion.  It is an actual thing.

I want to learn the habit of expectation.  Looking forward to good happenings, expecting a sunny day, expecting to run into a friend, expecting to succeed at my food plan.  I have gotten into the habit of ACCEPTING the worst rather than EXPECTING  the best. 

Join with me in setting a new course each morning.  Take time out to plan for success.  Write your feelings down.  Make your food plan for the day with times and meal.  Whether you feel like it or not, make the effort to put a skip in your step and a twinkle in your eye.  Shake hands with your neighbor.  SMILE!

Like the song says:
If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly

Let's change accepting to EXPECTING!

Dear God,  It is easy for me to believe that You have good things in store for me.  Help my unbelief.  During the times when I feel doubt, undeserving, critical....please come into my heart with the warm salve of Your unconditional love so that I may love myself too.  It is only through You that we can be whole.  Help my broken life become something beautiful so that I can share it and help others to find You too.  Amen.