This morning, I continue to ponder the difference between intention and expectation, and the relationship between the two. I continue to seek a way to maintain the space created by letting go of expectations. With all of the random thinking I’ve been doing around this topic, I might have found a way.
Here are my thoughts:
- Let go of the expectations. No easy task, here. But it’s the starting point. Identifying the expectations that are driving you in a direction, examining them and letting them go if they do not serve you. I started with this, in Lessons from Abroad: Letting go of Expectations, but I didn’t know where to go next.
- In the space created, explore how you want to feel. Maybe it’s a feeling of peace. Maybe it’s acceptance of what is, or love for the world around you. For me, there is always this desire for balance. I have so many different sides to me, always pulling me different directions. I somewhere gained the expectation I should choose among them, but I have come to realize I am not complete without any of them. I’ve become clear: A feeling of peaceful, joyful balance is what I desire.
- Fill the space left by letting go of expectations with the intention to feel as you desire. Intention becomes the mirror for evaluating actions. As I set out on a path, I reflect the path against my intention (non-physical feelings) instead of comparing it against some expectations (physical outcomes). If the action fits with the intention I continue; If it doesn’t fit, I change course. The path is guided by the intention, in the moment. I lose the rigidness of a predetermined plan.
I’m liking this sequence. Instead of holding the space left by letting go expectations empty, I’ve filled it with something. But that “something” allows me the space, flexibility and non-attachment to outcomes I am seeking. With my intention filling the space and becoming the guiding factor, maybe I can avoid getting myself into the same situation again. That darn situation of letting expectations for outcomes drive me. Or maybe I can avoid getting myself into the same situation as quickly – I seem to keep coming back to this place so I can only hope that someday I will truly learn and move on.
Thanks for joining me on my journey, no matter how many times I might circle back around to the same place. Especially thank you for your comments; they have been invaluable. Each one is like a spark of thought being shared across a distance. I take the thoughts from you and add them through my own, weaving them together in different ways until they bring me to a new place of understanding. That we can do this with miles of distance between us is testament to the power of human connection. But that’s a topic for another day…
Wow that is profound. I feel the same way-almost split personalities.I am trying really hard to let go more and enjoy the journey..thanks so much!
sounds like you are on a good path kat. great post!
Oh you really having me thinking here…I first went to read the post “difference between intention and expectation” and I’m back here again….
I think for me, in my life and some experiences I’ve gone through has forced me to realize that there are only so many things I have control over. My husband was out of work once for a year and another time for six months and I quickly had to learn to live with intention rather than expectation or I found myself quite stressed, frustrated, even hopeless. I love how you say that you let go of expectations and filled it with “something”, a space of flexiblity and of non-attatchment to outcomes. This is so very powerful for me as you have allowed me to see how far I have come in the journey of myself and it has connected some dots. Thank you for this, for sharing and for your contemplative thoughts – it is refreshing to be challenged and feel connected at the same time.
Kim, xo
Wonderful post! Thanks.
Extremely insightful!
I am so grateful for the wisdom that you share with each of us, your readers, as we follow your journey and learn from your experiences and your thoughtful ponderings.