Stop expecting things from people who have proven over and over again that they are either unable or unwilling to give it to you.
It’s not you, it’s them.
And it’s not wrong or right.
It just is.
Accept them for who they are and be grateful for what they have to offer you.
And, while you’re at it, take a look around.
I’d be willing to bet there our others waiting in the wings, longing for a chance to play a larger role in your life.
Everyone in your life is in it for a reason.
Some are teachers.
Some are students.
Some are partners in crime.
Your job is not to change that but to simply understand it and remember that they too are human, full of needs and challenges and flaws.
Can you love them for who they are?
Can you love them despite who they are?
Can you love them despite who you are?
It’s an imperfect world full of imperfect people.
That’s not the problem.
The problem is our expectations, our unchecked fears, our insistence on judging ourselves by how others treat us.
It’s not you, it’s them.
It’s not them, it’s you.
It doesn’t really matter who or what it is.
What really matters is what you’re willing to do about it.
Lower your expectations.
Deal with your fears.
Stop keeping score.
Just give what you want to get.
Acceptance begets acceptance.
Support begets support.
Love begets love.
It’ll all come back to you in spades.
Love and be loved.
It’s really as simple as that.
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This is one of my Daily Love Letters.
You can find new ones most days here on my blog or you can sign up to receive them via email. Either way, I hope you find them as helpful and loving as I do.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
The first line had been my life lesson…even through a practice of presence; I just couldn’t see that an entire world of connections that are enlivening and enriching, full of reciprocal love and appreciation, joy and delight, was waiting patiently for me to notice and embrace. From such a space, everything truly is possible; while that was exciting to read about, to live it was so unfamiliar I stayed in compromise while gathering my courage. And, here I am…exploring the newness!
Beautiful, Joy… as always. Thanks for sharing! XO