What a thought-provoking piece. I will Shift from rigid expectations to flexible intentions and yes it is such a powerful practice, both in personal relationships and community settings. Your reflections on how unspoken expectations can lead to misunderstandings, while clear intentions create openness and connection, really resonate. The examples you shared make the concept relatable and actionable. It’s inspiring to think of intentions as guiding stars that allow for creativity and adaptability in how we reach our goals. Thank you for shedding light on this subtle but impactful shift in mindset.
Thanks so much for your reflections, Kawish! I am so glad this shift feels actionable -- so great! Appreciate you reading and taking the time to share your thoughts.
I love this inquiry around expectation and intention. So much is lighting up for me in what you've shared. I recognize I often have A LOT of expectations and that they masquerade (in my mind) as intentions. When these "intectations" are not met I'm often disillusioned, upset and looking for someone to blame. I suppose those internal feelings are my cue that there may be some internal exploration needed. If you're open to it, I'd love to hear an example of an expectation that you've shifted to an intention. I'm curious about how they language may shift. Thank you for this!
Thanks so much for your share, Kelsey. Oof! So many examples of shifting expectations to intentions. Most recently, this came up for a wedding I was officiating last weekend. Instead of putting the expectations on myself to be perfect, and for everything to go as we had planned, I had to shift to the intentions of being authentic, of listening deeply to what was emerging, and of trusting myself and the whole. It released A LOT of pressure, and I think it made for a beautiful ceremony -- with so many special spontaneous moments and enjoying the 'mistakes' instead of judging them.
In relationship to others, sometimes, I have the expectation that they will do or say something (i.e., be like me in that same situation) and I shift to my intention of me being me and meeting them as they are instead. And if I have a need or desire, I try to voice it, and give them a chance to say yes or no or dialogue with me around it. This comes up in everything from contract negotiations to clean-up after a party. What do you think? Let me know if this was useful or if you have other questions.
As always, I enjoyed reading your article, Shedding expectation. You wrote with empathy, and it resonated well. The example about your 'bhabhi' is so true and written with so much love and sensitivity!
"They pretend to be ‘objective’, when they are often a fabrication of the mind, constructed like unyielding stone." Great advice for all the parents to check our expectations!
What a thought-provoking piece. I will Shift from rigid expectations to flexible intentions and yes it is such a powerful practice, both in personal relationships and community settings. Your reflections on how unspoken expectations can lead to misunderstandings, while clear intentions create openness and connection, really resonate. The examples you shared make the concept relatable and actionable. It’s inspiring to think of intentions as guiding stars that allow for creativity and adaptability in how we reach our goals. Thank you for shedding light on this subtle but impactful shift in mindset.
Thanks so much for your reflections, Kawish! I am so glad this shift feels actionable -- so great! Appreciate you reading and taking the time to share your thoughts.
I love this inquiry around expectation and intention. So much is lighting up for me in what you've shared. I recognize I often have A LOT of expectations and that they masquerade (in my mind) as intentions. When these "intectations" are not met I'm often disillusioned, upset and looking for someone to blame. I suppose those internal feelings are my cue that there may be some internal exploration needed. If you're open to it, I'd love to hear an example of an expectation that you've shifted to an intention. I'm curious about how they language may shift. Thank you for this!
Thanks so much for your share, Kelsey. Oof! So many examples of shifting expectations to intentions. Most recently, this came up for a wedding I was officiating last weekend. Instead of putting the expectations on myself to be perfect, and for everything to go as we had planned, I had to shift to the intentions of being authentic, of listening deeply to what was emerging, and of trusting myself and the whole. It released A LOT of pressure, and I think it made for a beautiful ceremony -- with so many special spontaneous moments and enjoying the 'mistakes' instead of judging them.
In relationship to others, sometimes, I have the expectation that they will do or say something (i.e., be like me in that same situation) and I shift to my intention of me being me and meeting them as they are instead. And if I have a need or desire, I try to voice it, and give them a chance to say yes or no or dialogue with me around it. This comes up in everything from contract negotiations to clean-up after a party. What do you think? Let me know if this was useful or if you have other questions.
As always, I enjoyed reading your article, Shedding expectation. You wrote with empathy, and it resonated well. The example about your 'bhabhi' is so true and written with so much love and sensitivity!
Thank you so much dear Nitin!
"They pretend to be ‘objective’, when they are often a fabrication of the mind, constructed like unyielding stone." Great advice for all the parents to check our expectations!