Great Expectations

So many people have high expectations of others.

Parents expect their children to go to university, children expect their parents to be able to solve any problem, and patients expect their doctor to cure them.

These aren’t bad expectations. We should always hope the best for our children, trust in our parents and expect our doctors to try their best.

But how far should we go?

Some women expect their future partner to come riding in on a white horse, some parents expect their children to get perfect in every test and become high level executives, and some people expect others to be infallible.

Is putting that pressure on other people really a good thing?

Most children will lie to their parents at some stage in their life, and a lot of people will try to make themselves sound more important than they actually are. The reason? There is this emotional need to have people approve of them.

What are your expectations of others? Are they high enough to challenge them or so high that they are unattainable?

What are you talking about?

Conversation is crucial to a good relationship (of any kind).

It doesn’t have to be sparkling, witty or intelligent (though this helps).

However it does have to be honest, communicative and equal!

I’ve never heard a girl say to me,

“I had this great conversation with a guy, he talked all about himself, then he was silent and didn’t talk to me, and what he did say, he lied about! That was fantastic!”

What I have heard on occasion is:

“I had this great conversation with a guy, he really listened to me, and opened up about himself. I felt we really got to know each other.”

This works in any situation, a guy, a girl, a friend, a colleague or even a stranger.

What are you really trying to say?

I forgot my change!

Sometimes change is difficult and comes with a price.

(literally, I mean have you ever moved house?!)

But without change there is no growth of mind or spirit.

Jobs for example. When you get a job there’s a lot to learn and you grow quickly, but what if you are only doing the same thing everyday with no change whatsoever? Pretty soon you will know all you need to know about that job and  just have repetitive days where nothing changes.

What’s the result then?

You don’t learn anything new.

You don’t meet anyone new.

You lose enthusiasm for what you are doing.

Just doing something a little different can make a big difference

The answer?

Change!

I am NOT suggesting that everyone out there go and quit their job. That should never be your first choice. What I am suggesting is that you find a way to challenge yourself. Make a change in how you approach your work, try something new, make opportunities to help your company. Do anything but sit there and be stagnant.

 If I was staying in Tokyo, I’d be looking to shake up my routine, and get out of my current thinking. I’d look for ways to improve my classes, and become more efficient. I love my job and wish I could take it with me to Sendai.

Love

I’ve been thinking about the importance of Love. Yep, you’ve guessed it, Valentine’s day is coming!

I’m single, so many people would hunk that this day has no meaning for me.

But that’s not the case.

I want to use this upcoming event to bless all those I love by telling them just that. I love them.

But I’m not going to wait. I want the people I know and care about to know right here right now.

I love you.

Whether you are someone from my past, someone whom I’m in contact with now, or someone I’ve yet to meet, the fact is that to some degree (admittedly stronger for some people) I love you.

I’m so glad that I was given a heart that can’t hate, and is predetermined to like others.

This is what I think of real love:

Love is never giving up.
Love is caring more for others than for yourself.
Love is to not want what you don’t have.
Love is to not show off, be proud or, forcing yourself on others,
Love isn’t always “me first,”
Love is to not fly off the handle,
Nor to keep remembering the bad things other people have done,
Love is to not be happy when someone is begging you for something,
Love is to love the truth
Put up with anything,
Trusts In your faith always,
Always look for the best,
Never look back, but keep going to the end.

Love never dies.

I want this to be my ideal, and to aim for this type of love in all I do.