Expectations Can Blur Openings

I am weary of lockdowns, masks, isolation and virus fears. Enough of all this! A part of me is ready to return (happily) to what was before. Although I am ready, there is so much uncertainty that I cannot see a way to do it. And, there are factors that could make it dangerous to try.

False Expectations In The Midst Of The Pandemic

One of my mother’s favorite sayings was “ Stress is when expectations don’t meet reality” (Anonymous). Many of us are not too happy with reality at the moment. However, alternatives do not exist. So, do we create unrealistic expectations that provide false comfort or do we look reality in the face and create expectations that are aligned with our present reality?

False expectations set us up for blunt stops and disappointments, when things do not work out the way we expected. We end up putting ourselves in danger by not acknowledging warning signs we come across and losing time – when we could be working productively towards a better tomorrow.

Expectations Can Blur Our Vision

Say we have an expectation that things will go right back to our old normal once the virus is brought under control. Or, that this challenge we are in will inevitably lead to a better place. While both of these may make us feel better, they are not yet based on facts. They do not prepare us to set realistic expectations.

If our vision is crowded with theories based in unrealities that is all we will see. We are making assumptions when the future is unknown. It is as if we have painted a static picture of our world as we want it to be and it doesn’t evolve or change as time goes on. In the meantime, reality marches on outside of our vision.

True Expectations In The Midst Of The Pandemic

We can create realistic expectations and still have hope. We must muster the courage and strength needed to do so. The key is to look honestly at where we are and find the possibilities and silver linings that exist (and they do). We are in a time of transformation.

What is this time asking of us (to get comfortable with less social interaction, to deal with uncertainty and fear)?  Where is it leading us (that is, in large part, unknown but some things we can see – to quiet ourselves, to rise to the challenges of being an essential worker, to care about our wider community)? Realistic expectations can flow from these inquiries and present reality.

What positive things can we see coming out of the pandemic? What painful realities may be leading to a broader good? What must we accept that is now part of our reality?