Expectations

Words & Photography
by Dawnielle Burton



My friend Alex posted an awesome quote about expectations the other day. It got me and Daniel talking. One thing we have learned (especially in the past year) is that we can’t really expect much of any situation or person. Being parents of a toddler will slap that reality right across your face!

Every day I wake up with an idea of how I want the day to go, but it never pans out that way. Instead of getting upset or frustrated that things aren’t going as planned, it’s important to find gratitude and joy in the way things unravel. For example, I had a very clear plan of potty training Oliver. Clearly, (in my mind) by day two, he would be going to the bathroom on his own, with maybe two accidents during the day. NOPE! Last year was Daniel’s third year at his job. He is usually the first one in the office and the last to leave. He works so hard and is good at what he does. Clearly, 2017 would be the year that we make it big, move to a house and be financially stable. NOPE! Instead, we found ourselves being robbed thousands of dollars by someone we trusted and had expected to help get us where we wanted to be.

Instead of getting upset or frustrated that things aren’t going as planned, it’s important to find gratitude and joy in the way things unravel.

My point is, life is hard and has twists and turns (big and small), and we are the only ones who decide what we will make of those experiences. Will I be disappointed that Oliver had a zillion accidents yesterday? NOPE! I’m just going to embrace the fact that potty training is hard and enjoy being home with my babies. Will we feel bad for ourselves that we didn’t get what was deserved or desperately wanted last year? NOPE! We will choose to be happy that we moved past a toxic relationship, that we survived a year being freaking poor, and that we have a happy, healthy family.

Don’t get me wrong, I feel bad for myself often and cry about bad situations a lot. I think that’s totally fine. But this year, I really want to let go of holding such high expectations, and go with the flow. Here’s to trading expectation for appreciation!