Have you ever suffered disappointment at some time in your life? I suppose that\u2019s a rhetorical question since the answer is, \u201cWell, duh!\u201d We all experience disappointments. Most of my disillusionments have come from when I fall short of reaching my own goals or expectations for myself, not when others fail to live up to my desires. If you, like me, have been given the title of perfectionist (as if that was a badge of shame!), you are well aware that someone who is always striving for perfection is usually harder on him\/herself than other people. We SO want to do it \u201cright,\u201d whatever \u201cright\u201d is for us, for others or society. It begs the question, Is perfection is really possible? Are we running on a treadmill of frustration by trying so hard? In fact, why have expectations, great of otherwise, at all?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s never perfect and it\u2019s always perfect.<\/strong><\/p>\n Let me explain what I mean by that. I\u2019ve been privileged to officiant for at least a hundred weddings, holy unions, commitment ceremonies, baptisms, christenings, funerals and memorials over my twenty years in ministry, as well as house blessings, pet blessings and a few exorcisms (more about that another time\u2026). What I can report to you is that when planning the event the people involved want it to be \u201cperfect\u201d \u2013 this is particularly true for weddings. The belief is that we have \u201cone shot\u201d to get this right. No retakes. No revisions. One shot. Period.<\/p>\n One of the places I perform weddings in our area has a beautiful, expansive Italian garden. Most brides select a processional that goes from the very top of the gardens to a pavilion at the bottom. With a large wedding party it can take up to seven or eight minutes, but choreographed correctly by \u201cmoi\u201d it\u2019s a beautiful and memorable event \u2013 unless it rains, as it often can in the summer here in south central Pennsylvania. We had an absolute downpour one day, but the bride was adamant about the processional. So it took place, in the downpour, with huge golf umbrellas provided by the resort for some protection. And \u2026 it was perfect.<\/p>\n HOW could have been?!? The couple had great expectations of their special day and a near monsoon was not<\/em> part of the plan. I\u2019ve heard there\u2019s an Italian tradition that says when it rains on your wedding it means God is showering you with blessings. If that\u2019s the case this couple was blessed beyond all expectation! The bride got exactly what she wanted \u2013 a beautiful processional \u2013 even if the gown and bridesmaids dresses were a little worse for the wear upon arrival at the lower pavilion. You might think I was dealing with a bridezilla who, come hell or (in this case) high water, was going to have it her way or the highway. Not at all.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t see it that way. If anything, I believe it showed a willingness, tenacity, dedication and determination to fulfill the desire of her fianc\u00e9 and her. Have you had your plans go array to this extent, or even more severe? Did you think it was a failure and did you suffer the event? It\u2019s never perfect and it\u2019s always perfect. What that means to me is that it, whatever \u201cit\u201d is, is going to be exactly what it\u2019s going to be. We can plan or outline every single detail and be disappointed if things don\u2019t go according to plan, or we can go with the flow and enjoy the moment for what it is. Scripture says, \u201cTime and unforeseen circumstances befall us all.\u201d What does that mean? It means life happens. \u201cShift\u201d happens.<\/p>\n How we deal with the changes and shifts in life about which we seem to have no control will determine our moods, our attitudes about life, how much people want to be around us, and our future. Without \u201cgreat expectations\u201d of our future we will most likely end up with a less than a stellar or satisfying life. What do you \u201cexpect?\u201d When Emma Curtis Hopkins, New Thought teacher and mental healing expert, was asked by Raymond Charles Barker why she thought a particular case for which she was present seem to have a healing that occurred so quickly and easily. Her answer? \u201cIt was what I expected.\u201d Can\u2019t you just imagine in the story of the resurrection of Lazarus when the great teacher Jesus proclaimed, \u201cLazarus, come out!\u201d but nothing happening? Excuse me? The healing was, again, what he expected.<\/p>\n What do you<\/em> expect from life, from your future? I invite you this week to think bigger than ever about what you want your life to look like. Would you be willing to do that? You could sit quietly, calm your senses and uncover the joys you desire, the peace you seek and the healings you require. Write those down, without regard to how many come up, and then pick just three. I\u2019m not talking about a new car or a new job. I\u2019m talking about how you<\/em> envision a peace, a more harmonious life. Then give it to Spirit and expect great things! Let me know how that works out for you!<\/p>\n In Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,<\/p>\n Terry<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Have you ever suffered disappointment at some time in your life? I suppose that\u2019s a rhetorical question since the answer is, \u201cWell, duh!\u201d We all experience disappointments. 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