the root of all heartache



I found this quote on pinterest yesterday and I can't stop thinking about it.
I am a person that sets high expectations for myself and others around me...
(I think I get it from my mom!)
My dog woke me up at 4 in the am this morning and I was a little.... pissed... to say the least.
I haven't been sleeping well anyways, and then to feel this massive dog take up half the bed was not my idea of a good nights sleep.
I tossed and turned trying to get back to sleep, but nothing was helping. 
The thought crossed my mind, "Hey, the other night when Andrew couldn't sleep, I sat and tickled his back at 3 in the am... he knows I'm awake right now... why isn't he offering to do the same to me?"
In my ornery 4:00 state, I dwelled on that a little longer than I should've.
But, WHY?
I was setting these expectations for him last night that he had no idea about. 
I was getting mad at him for something that I really shouldn't have even expected him to do!
After about 5 minutes of muttering to myself in my head, this quote popped into my head.
"EXPECTATION IS THE ROOT OF ALL HEARTACHE."
Sometimes Most of the time, I expect WAY too much out of my dear husband when in all reality, he is doing his darndest!  It is my expectation of him that causes me to be mad or upset, which in turn causes heartache for the both of us.
I have just decided that I need to not expect so much out of myself and others and to let others run their own course.  I can't control someone else's life with my expectations.
Here is to a new leaf turned!  Here is to trying to accept others differences and LOVE them for it. 
Here is to good ol' William Shakespeare!


(p.s.  Sorry if I have every made any of you out there feel bad for not living up to MY expectations... please know that I'm trying to overcome it and to see the beauty in "the other roads traveled")

3 comments:

  1. oh.em.gee. I am so glad you posted this, because I've been going thru the exact same thing. I've found myself getting upset with people I love and care about because they can't read my mind, they don't know what I want and what I need without them telling. My biggest problem-- I expect people to go above and beyond for me, because I would do that for them. Thanks for putting that into perspective for me. Keep me posted on how you do!

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  3. This reminds me of the this youtube video Sam showed me last night called The Manslater. Check it out! You'll laugh.

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