Are expectations the root of all problems? by Otto Collins

I like to challenge my own thinking and beliefs to see how strong my beliefs are.

I did this recently when my friend posted a statement on his Facebook profile that said…

"As a possibility... Expectations are the root of all problems."

Is it really true?

Since seeing this I've tried my best to poke holes in this statement, but so far still no holes.

So if this is true, what does this mean for MY relationships and MY problems?

Here are some examples of how I see expectations versus "problems" right now...

If I have relationship problems or challenges, the question becomes…

–How do I expect to have trouble?

–How do I hold myself back for fear of getting hurt?

If I hold back in any way…

So it's an expectation that I have (at least on some level) that is satisfied by the reality that I create.

–If I'm afraid for my finances, I don't come from a place of opportunity.

If I'm afraid to think about my finances, then on some level…

I expect a shortage and this money WILL be a problem.

–If I want to lose weight, get healthier, or improve my physical appearance in some way and I'm having "issues" creating this new version of me...

Then, on SOME levels, I would have to live with some sort of expectation that losing weight is hard.

I should expect it to be really hard to get healthy, so why try.

–If I want to change my physical appearance in some way and I'm having trouble doing it…

Then I should have (at least on some level) some expectation that it's too hard to improve my health.

So what are the expectations anyway except a habitual way of thinking that I made real…

And the truth is, I have a choice whether or not to continue to believe that thought.

As I was playing around with "choice" and this statement...

"As a possibility...Expectations are the root of all problems"...

What this triggered for me was a deeper exploration of engagement in my life.

Where exactly is the intersection between engagement and what's going on in my life?

So far I see a LOT of overlap between the two.

It also changes me in small (and not-so-small) ways as I look at expectations and commitment both within me and in my life.

It changes the choices I make every moment.

So I invite you to try this statement and see how it lands for you…

"As a possibility... Expectations are the root of all problems"

What do you see or don't you see around these two notions of expectations and commitment?

It's an inner exploration worth undertaking and if you want help seeing something new, contact me here…