We often meet new stages in life with preconceived expectations. Those expectations come from the lives we have witnessed, the stories we've heard or read, and the dreams we have. For example, I grew up with a couple of nana's, and when I became a nana, I thought my role would be similar to their roles. I also thought the role would be similar to grandmothers I've read about or know. My expectations, in part, so far are on target, but also, in part, my expectations were off-target. We will have expectations about new stages in life, and some of those expectations will be right on and others will be different from the reality that exists. If we hold onto expectations too tightly, we will miss the real opportunities, joy, and goodness that comes from each stage in life. For that reason, we have to adjust expectations as we live through life's stages in order to live life well.
So rather than move into a life stage with a set of tight expectations, it's better to move into that stage a bit gingerly with an open mind. As we move into the stage, we can take note of what that stage is all about -- how is it similar to the expectations we have and how is it different. Then step-by-step we can embrace the stage as it is not as we imagined it to be. I believe that kind of movement into new stages of life is better than a more narrow minded, set-expectations start.
Onward.
