Jana hosts the weekly Stream of Consciousness Sunday which is a chance to just write write write for only five minutes each week. Usually I write to the prompt she offers. That is what I did this week... and it was far too much fun today.
Do you have five minutes? Why not join in here?
Here is the prompt:
Earlier this week my friend, Kimberly, texted me saying “I respect your ability to deal with expectations.”
We had been texting back and forth about disappointments, about sometimes sadness. I literally leaned back in my seat to think about that for a moment. I had never really thought of it lately, although in the past I told people one of the secrets to my happiness was having the lowest expectations as possible or have no expectations and then when great stuff happens it is a HUGE reason to celebrate.
I basically wonder, “Why should I receive anything, anyway?” probably after a childhood of somehow intuitively understanding in a family of six kids where we heard repeatedly about the “austerity program of the week” it is better not to hope for the best and instead hope for whatever.
I know, this sounds incredibly pessimistic but if you flip it on its side and really look at it with your eyes wide open, you’ll be able to see it differently.
Some of my theater friends get very upset to not be cast in a role.
I’m usually shocked anyone would want to cast me.
Some of my work friends get upset because they don’t get published or don’t get rave reviews.
I’m grateful to be published and figure reviews are not objective, anyway, they are based more on who the reviewer is than who I am or for that matter, who my work is.
I see getting sad about expectations is a choice. If we choose to have lower expectations while working towards the best possible outcome, we will be so much more grateful when that best possible outcome happens. I call this whole concept “passionate detachment.”
Again,a paradox, and again, it works. To go for “it” –
whatever “it” may be, while at the same time not expecting any sort of
evaluation more than your experience and the lessons learned along the way. The
experience and lessons need to be enough. Once you train yourself to be this
way, your life will be immeasurably happier. All you'll have the deal with then is an increased level of contentment and joy in your life.
(Thanks, Jana, for helping me to remember all this!)
(Timer sings!)This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…
- Set a timer and write for 5 minutes.
- Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
- Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
- Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post (find it at Jana's Thinking Place). .
- Link up your post there, too.
- Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.
Be sure to "Like" WritingCampwithJJS on Facebook (THANK YOU!)