Expectations lead us to believe that people are capable of treating us with resembling qualities that we use to treat them. Expectations provide this illusion that the love we work endlessly to provide is able to be returned in a similar form. Expectations restrict us from the clear perception of the imaginary and realness. It taps into our vulnerabilities and confuses us with the desired thought that reciprocation is common or fair. Although this mutuality and exchange should exist (again my expectations speaking), many times the hope for it leads us to vacant realms.

Expectations deprive us of our sense of truth. Expectations insert unnecessary assumptions that remain behind our every thought. We begin assuming that others can easily give to us anything we may ask them to. When we are holding so tightly onto expectations, we begin to forget the evident core of one’s self. We must question, who is the person we are assuming will have the insight and understanding to return a favor or a kind gesture? Who is this person beyond what my expectation is causing me to want to see? We hold too much credit behind a title people have not yet earned. When vocalizing our expectations, we are forcing people to be who they are not. We should never have to remind someone how to gift us with the proper amount of care or consideration. We are holding certain people to too high of a standard and expecting that they will fill the requirements of that position when they do not even belong in there to begin with.

Expectations are not needed. It is possible to treat others without the thought of reciprocation. Although we find ourselves in a place of hope and desire to retrieve all that we have sacrificed to give to others, we must accept that it is rare to ever encounter. This rarity makes a shared love even more extraordinary. It will always be found, but patience must be emphasized. Freedom will find you once you learn to release yourself of the burden expectations bring you. A REMINDER: Your value does not remain within the borders of reciprocity.