Happy And Complete

One of the most difficult concepts that we all must face is that of the inevitability of disappointment.

No-one wants to grapple with a promise that lacks substance; an unmet expectation; an assurance that isn’t followed through. And yet we know we must.

Grudging acceptance is all well and good and may be the best most people have to offer when faced with disappointment in general. But the problem is that just such a reaction can lead to complacency. There-in lies the trap.

It’s one thing to have others fail to meet expectations either promised or implied. Such shortfalls can be attributed to the offender’s weaknesses or failings. It’s another thing entirely to experience self-disappointment. When we disappoint ourselves we are the ones responsible. Responsibility comes with accountability. Accountability is ultimately difficult.

It’s never a good thing when we come face-to-face with the flaws we would rather believe we never had in the first place. Reality checks can be painful.

But rather than be saddened by the things we have said or done that fall short of our own standards or self-generated actions and thoughts which have disappointed those around us we should instead be challenged.

The over-riding objective each and every day should be to work towards being a better version of the person we were yesterday. There will be failures. There will be disappointments. But real and lasting change takes time. It happens by degrees.

Obsessing about unmet expectations means we run the risk of failing to benefit from the good things happening in and around us. Even in the most dire of circumstances there is always some latitude for gratitude.

The person we have to live with the longest the person that we are. It makes good sense, therefore, to put unceasing effort into working on the qualities that make the inner self as happy and complete as it’s possible to be.