Are you meeting expectations ? That is a big question. Are we obligated to make the choices and gain the acclaim that others feel we should have ? How many times did our teachers in school tells us we were not working to our full potential ? That we should " buckle down. " When we compare ourselves to others , how do we measure up ? Do we measure success with the accumulation of wealth and fame ? Yes, unfortunately we do. There was an AD campaign some years back that said, " a mind is a terrible thing to waste. " The ad was promoting gaining a higher education. That was to be accomplished by attending a college or university. The implication being that was the only path to achieve that " higher education. " In order to obtain that degree one must satisfy the expectations of the curriculum. But is that fulfilling your potential ? How can we know ?
It is all well and good to say I am not affected by what others say or do. The truth in that statement is that we are effected. No man is an island unto himself is another popular saying and it carries truth. We all seek validation, I believe we all need it. Therein lies the problem. In order to be validated we have to meet the expectations of others. We must meet or exceed their standard. The standards of those we care little for are of little consequence. Conversely the opinion of those we love and cherish mean a great deal. So just where do we draw that line ? Living within the society and adhering to that standard of conduct would appear to be the minimum standard. Is the minimum standard enough ? The very word minimum says it is. Anything beyond that is exceeding the minimum. Do expectations beyond that minimum redefine that minimum ? You would have to say they do. That is if expectations are the same thing as standards. The fact is they are not. Should we aspire to the expectations of others ? That is the real question in all of this. Is that the path to true happiness ? The acquisition of wealth and fame is no guarantee of happiness. That has been shown to be true many times over. I will admit wealth and fame does go a long way towards masking the face of unhappiness though. Sure beats being poor and unhappy.
Just what is your potential ? It is true that it is unlimited. Anything is possible. The most difficult part in this is coming to understand your own expectations. When we satisfy our own expectations we are happiest. Those expectations can be difficult to understand when others are defining them for you. Isn't that what your teachers were really saying ? They were trying to instill a desire to exceed the minimum standard. The minimum is not enough ! Isn't that the message ? Is that same message setting us up for disappointment ? What is the answer ? Raising the minimum standard would be the obvious choice. By doing so however there are those that will not be able to reach that standard. Is that through a fault of their own making, or some other circumstance. How do we then define that ? Is it possible to measure potential ?
I think as long as my happiness does not cause unhappiness for others I'm good to go. I also should not impose my expectations upon you. I have heard it said, expect nothing and will not be disappointed. There is a certain wisdom in that, although it is unrealistic. We all have expectations and standards of conduct. When others fail to meet those we are disappointed. Our expectations have not been met. Is that a failure on their part or ours ?
It is all well and good to say I am not affected by what others say or do. The truth in that statement is that we are effected. No man is an island unto himself is another popular saying and it carries truth. We all seek validation, I believe we all need it. Therein lies the problem. In order to be validated we have to meet the expectations of others. We must meet or exceed their standard. The standards of those we care little for are of little consequence. Conversely the opinion of those we love and cherish mean a great deal. So just where do we draw that line ? Living within the society and adhering to that standard of conduct would appear to be the minimum standard. Is the minimum standard enough ? The very word minimum says it is. Anything beyond that is exceeding the minimum. Do expectations beyond that minimum redefine that minimum ? You would have to say they do. That is if expectations are the same thing as standards. The fact is they are not. Should we aspire to the expectations of others ? That is the real question in all of this. Is that the path to true happiness ? The acquisition of wealth and fame is no guarantee of happiness. That has been shown to be true many times over. I will admit wealth and fame does go a long way towards masking the face of unhappiness though. Sure beats being poor and unhappy.
Just what is your potential ? It is true that it is unlimited. Anything is possible. The most difficult part in this is coming to understand your own expectations. When we satisfy our own expectations we are happiest. Those expectations can be difficult to understand when others are defining them for you. Isn't that what your teachers were really saying ? They were trying to instill a desire to exceed the minimum standard. The minimum is not enough ! Isn't that the message ? Is that same message setting us up for disappointment ? What is the answer ? Raising the minimum standard would be the obvious choice. By doing so however there are those that will not be able to reach that standard. Is that through a fault of their own making, or some other circumstance. How do we then define that ? Is it possible to measure potential ?
I think as long as my happiness does not cause unhappiness for others I'm good to go. I also should not impose my expectations upon you. I have heard it said, expect nothing and will not be disappointed. There is a certain wisdom in that, although it is unrealistic. We all have expectations and standards of conduct. When others fail to meet those we are disappointed. Our expectations have not been met. Is that a failure on their part or ours ?
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