REFLECTIONS ON LIFES EXPECTATIONS: SEEKING WHAT YOU TRULY WANT.

In the introspective journey I embarked upon while reading "Tuesdays with Morrie," I couldn't help but ponder the profound question of what I truly want in life. It struck me that many people, myself included, often stumble through life without taking the time to clarify their desires. How often have we buried our aspirations deep within, neglecting to bring them into the light of conscious thought? We create illusions about our identities and desires, blindly pursuing goals that may not align with our authentic selves.

Personal reflection, sparked by my dedication to writing, has unveiled the fog that shrouded the important aspects of my life. It's a gradual process, but day by day, my understanding of what I want becomes sharper. What's intriguing is that as this clarity unfolds, I realize that some of my longed-for dreams were already in my grasp; I just hadn't noticed.

We're all familiar with the question, "What do you want in life?" It's a question that has been asked of us, and one we've posed to ourselves. It's easy to default to the pursuit of material wealth, status, and recognition. I've noticed that most responses tend to gravitate toward these external markers of success. But I've come to understand that my response to this question is a work in progress. As I tune into my inner voice, drown out the cacophony of external expectations, and embrace my authenticity, my answer becomes clearer. I'm narrowing down my vision, focusing on the path I wish to tread and the impact I hope to make.

The age-old wisdom of clearly articulating one's desires and intentionally working towards them resonates deeply. We've heard it before, yet often, we let the inspiration slip away. However, those times when we persevere and commit to our goals, the universe has a way of revealing unexpected opportunities and blessings.

At the stroke of midnight, as another day gracefully slips away and a new one dawns, I find myself wrapped in contemplation. I'm drawn to the choices I made in the fading day, questioning whether they were born of courage or woven from the fabric of fear. This late-night reverie centers around the essence of manifesting our deepest desires.

In the depths of my reflection, I'm reminded of a timeless truth: we don't necessarily receive what we want in life; instead, we receive what we believe. When I first encountered this concept, it took me on a journey of introspection. What do I truly believe? About myself, the people in my world, and the vast expanse of the world itself. These questions spark a quest to uncover the hidden beliefs that silently shape the experiences and opportunities that unfold in my life.

The journey begins as a purely mental exercise, an attempt to decipher the myriad thoughts that traverse my mind. It's about examining the desires that hold a special place in my heart and casting a light on the aversions that linger in the shadows, often overlooked but ever-present in our existence. Soon, the realization dawns that our underlying beliefs weave their DNA not just in our thoughts but also in our words and actions. It's a profound revelation; one that uncovers the intricate dance between our thoughts, the words we speak, and the actions we take. It's only when this triumvirate aligns seamlessly with our aspirations that we can hope to tap into the source of creation and manifest our desires. This revelation, though transformative, requires effort, an unwavering commitment to self-examination.

I've come to understand that at times, I've been the obstacle on my path, hindered by the fear of judgment and the desire to avoid disapproving comments from those close to me. In my thoughts, words, or actions, there often lurked a misalignment, stifling the birth of my desires. This recognition has led me to a profound understanding – to get what I truly want, I must embrace unity within myself. My words and actions must harmonize with the visions I hold dear, for it is this synchrony that paves the way for the birth of dreams.

In this journey, I realize that there's work to be done, and it's a journey with no shortcuts. I hope to have enough time in this lifetime to harness what I'm learning about myself for the greater good. One of my aspirations is to create a positive impact on the world, not just through my writing but as an entrepreneur. I harbor numerous ideas, and I'm diligently working towards bringing them to life. In the understanding that we don't get what we want but what we believe, I choose to believe that the entrepreneur in me and those visionary enterprises already exist in the here and now.

And what about you? What beliefs shape your perception of yourself? Are you an idealist, like me, embracing the vibrant nature of life in all its colors and shades, or do you lean towards realism, seeing only black and white, missing the magnificent hues that adorn our world?

The saying goes, "Hope for the best, but expect the worst." Yet, I've always been unsettled by the latter part of that adage, "expecting the worst." What kind of life would we lead if we braced ourselves for the bleakest outcomes at every turn? It's in our beliefs, our unwavering optimism, and our harmonious actions that we find the power to manifest the best, rather than dwelling on the worst.

As I delve into the essence of the saying "hope for the best, expect the worst," I can't help but understand its intent as a safety net against disappointment. It's a means to shield ourselves from the harsh sting of reality when our lofty expectations fall short. It makes me reflect on the expectations I've held for myself in this journey of life.

I'm reminded of the profound truth that what we receive is intricately connected to our asks, the words, actions, and thoughts that harmonize to form our desires. So, what does it say to the universe or the source of creation when we harbor expectations of the worst? It's almost as if we unknowingly ask for the very outcomes we dread. I must confess; I've been guilty of this self-sabotage in many instances.

But what if we tried a different approach? What if we dared to hope for the best and, yes, expect the best? We've all tasted disappointment, and we've learned to brace ourselves against it. Yet, perhaps we've been too quick to condition ourselves to anticipate the worst, inadvertently closing ourselves off to the boundless possibilities of the universe.

It's undeniably easier to discern what we don't want in life. The world is filled with examples, and all we need to do is step out the door to encounter them. However, the challenge lies in defining what we truly want. This, at least for me, has been a process requiring introspection and ongoing work. Even now, I can't claim absolute clarity. I take solace in my spirit of exploration, a journey that currently unfolds in unfamiliar territory, China, as I continue to unearth the depths of my desires before finding a place to settle.

So, as I draw the curtains on this reflection, I humbly present the same questions that ignited this introspection to you. What are your expectations for your life? What do you genuinely want to achieve in this lifetime? I don't expect immediate, fully-formed answers, but I hope you'll join me in this conscious reflection.

I'll see you soon,

Fred Agaba