Do I Wait Till My Ship or the Lotto?

by robert@mypastdoesnotequalmyfuture.org

“Nothing creates more unhappiness than failed expectations…Expectations are an attempt to control the future. ~Deepak Chopra

I knew this person who would condition positive statements of his future with the phrase, “When my ship comes in.”  It would not matter what the experience was, a new job, new car or a new house.  All good things were contingent on when his proverbial ship came in.

Over the years that I knew him, I observed him slowly change into an unhappy, frustrated person. His plans did not work out. He was stuck in the same job ( that he hated), the same house (that was too small for his very large family), and a series of cars, that were never what he really wanted. He eventually became a cynical person, filled with failed expectations and regrets. His “ship” never arrived!

As I think about this man, I become aware of how similar we are. Over the years,  I, too, have had my own episodes of  day dreaming. In fact, all of us, from the day we are born, are conditioned to seek happiness outside of ourselves.

This expectation/disappointment cycle starts affecting our lives very early. We all either know someone like this or we are similar in our thought process. We use such terms as: (1) Someday my ship will come in. (2) Someday I will win the Lotto. (3) When [fill in the blank] happens, I will be happy. (4) I will do that after I lose this weight. (5) Everything would be fine if she/he would only [fill in the blank]. (6) I cannot do that; I do not know how to start. You get the picture. When we use these statements, our happiness in life becomes dependent on external people and circumstances or some magical coincidence. The result is that our lives become ripe for disappointment.

The key to breaking this cycle is to first realize that our lives are what we have created - no one else!  Neither God, parents, lover, employer or siblings are responsible for the life that we have. We have created this life through our beliefs, thoughts, and choices that we have made on a daily basis. Unfortunately,  we often have not given full attention and focus to how we truly want our lives to look. We have not consciously decided who we want to be. At the end of this life on earth, what do you want to be known for?

Start at the end of your life as you want it to be and work backward to where you are now. The story of ”you” is your choice. You can determine that story right now. It is not too late to develop that personal vision of who you want to be. Starting now, take daily action on the things that will result in the “you” you choose to be. Ask yourself this question: “What am I willing to do right now?” This keeps you focused and in the present and  it supports your well-being. It brings focus into the present, where we can do something constructive, rather than focusing on the future, where action is not possible.

Keep in mind that from birth, Spirit has provided and continues to provide everything you need to have the life you desire.  Spirit wants you to be happy and is waiting on you to make a move. He will continue to  move with you.

Believe In You!

KEEP YOUR HOPE ALIVE! Δ