Great Expectations

Expectations are inevitable...we all have them; for events, jobs, relationships, careers and life itself. So the question becomes where and how do we set our expectations? And where do our expectations come from? In getting prepared for this move to Kauai, and the numerous stops along the way, there have been expectations of what each step would look and feel like. A picture or snapshot of what each step will be...yet just a few weeks into our journey, I have had expectations that have already been met, been exceeded, and fallen short in different areas...there are expectations for everything, from a dining experience, to interactions with people, to the weather, to life events. So without going into great detail of the different pleasant surprises and great disappointments of the journey thus far, my question is simply how these expectations become formed, and our feelings of satisfaction when they have been met or exceeded, and our very real disappointment and hurt when our expectations have not been met.

“The best things in life are unexpected - because there were no expectations.” Eli Khamarov

So does having an expectation for an event or a relationship potentially harm the enjoyment or satisfaction that you can receive?
If an expectation is met, then it simply has satisfied and completed the task and purpose that it was supposed to have in the first place. If an expectation has been exceeded, then there is a great sense of pleasure and surprise, for it was not something that was anticipated, and so it comes as a welcomed gift and addition to anything that was originally intended...but if an expectation is not met or satisfied, whether it be for a job or event, or expectation of a friendship or relationship, or even for a life path, there is disappointment, hurt and sense of failure in the shortcoming...and that pleasure that would have been derived is overlooked because the falling short of expectation is the only thing that we can focus on.

So perhaps the secret to all life satisfaction is just in setting the proper expectations...and he who is capable of succeeding in that task is the most fulfilled.