I recently made an online purchase of something I’ve wanted for about a year. I didn’t know if it was really what I needed, so I waited. I would go to this retailer’s store and look it over, meticulously inspecting it — just to be sure. It was a little bit out of my budget, so I held off. Then, one day, it went on super mega sale. Nearly half off with an extra 20% off of that. I jumped on it, giddy with excitement that this was finally mine. . .sort of. 

Two days later I received an email notifying me that my item had shipped and should arrive on Saturday. Hot diggity! Oh, and here’s a link to check its progress. I clicked the link, and have clicked a dozen times more since. I saw that it was scanned and on its way. I saw that it arrived in Dallas on Thursday. And then I saw Dallas come to a screeching, frozen halt. . .

Well. Heck.

Then, I saw the tracker say, “Monday”. Ok, that’s not a big deal. 

Then, I saw that my package was “in transit” in Richardson. OH! I live in Richardson. I was giddy again. I put my email in their system to receive notification that my package arrived (’cause, ya know, waiting until I get home from work is just asking too much). 

Today is Wednesday and as far as I can tell my poor little box is riding around Richardson on the back of a FedEx truck. It is still “In Transit” with no estimated day of delivery. How do I know? Because I keep clicking the link. 

After all of this, I would rather I not have clicked that link in the first place. I placed a certain expectation on FedEx to deliver on its word (pun completely and totally intended), circumstances outside of my control notwithstanding. 

But today, I thought about the other expectations I place on objects or people in my life. 

My funny Facebook post not getting any “likes”. A text message not responded to. An online shipment tracking link that just led me on. 

 

Expectations are funny things. On the one hand, we need them; teachers or coaches or bosses  (or artistic directors) who expect excellence from their people — totally OK. An accountant to be able to add numbers correctly — perfectly legitimate. Common courtesy from fellow humans — absolutely. But, when we place too much misguided expectations on things, it can lead to resentment, heartbreak, frustration, or whatever else that’s just not cool. This is contrasted by living with a sense of expectancy. That is, looking forward to life for what it IS, not for what I want it to be and finding joy in the smallest places. (Like getting excited that my package is on its way, not getting upset that it isn’t here, yet). 

This week I’ve been reminded of the “danger” (I use that word loosely) of misplaced expectations. Instead, I’ll choose to approach life with a sense of expectancy.