“Expectations are like fine pottery. The harder you hold them, the more likely they are to crack”.
Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings.
Hiya!
Always thrilling to share a few of my countless thoughts on here with you and I’m glad you constantly make time to pass by and read. I certainly don’t take it for granted and appreciate you.
At the start of this year, I remember sharing with you in my August blog, that I had an odd uneasiness that I couldn’t quite decipher.
2020 was the year that I had so much at stake: a moot court competition to win by the end of February, DC to visit in April, graduation to celebrate by June, probably a proposal in July wink, joining the Bar in September and commencing my Masters applications by October. Yes, I had everything planned out with the timelines set, because what could go wrong? Year in and out, I was confident of the set dates and times for which particular things would happen.
The concept of idealism or utopianism as it is referred to, is the school of thought that believes in perfection or the essential nature of reality lying in the consciousness or in reason. Simply put, idealists usually live in the state of knowing that things ought to be in accordance to their beliefs and projection of things.
Realism on the other hand, subscribes to the practice of accepting the situation as it is and being prepared to deal with it accordingly.
I decided to write about this in particular because the year 2020 came with a numeral shocks to all of us with the abrupt breakdown of the social and economic structure as a result of the lockdowns, loss of loved ones, closure of schools and distortion of ‘life as we knew it.’
Being an idealist, this came as an enormous shock to my belief system because it meant that everything I’d set out to achieve and accomplish this year was rumpled and distorted. Moving past that took a whole load of guts and courage. Embracing oblivion to be exact. That’s the reality of the world we live in.
King Solomon in Proverbs wrote that a man may make his plans but God has the final say. He knew that as mortals, the idealism that drives us to make and live out our plans would blur us from the greater picture of what God has in store for us.
One thing that this year has taught me is to be in touch with the present. The now. Not worry and fret over things that I have no control over but enjoy the sunrise today and the breeze of the trees as the light rain blows by my window.
These seemingly trivial moments that the soul captures are what made us ignore the fact that our bodies need time to recuperate and commune with nature, away from the busy and work-filled schedule.
Each day comes with its own different expectations. For some, it is to wake up, have a hot bath and cup of tea, kiss the kids goodbye, go to work and come back home in the evening. This is what ought to happen in an ideal/ utopian world. For another, the expectation could be to have at least one meal a day or just make it to the next day, alive. Yet in fact, the universe has other plans and prospects for each of us. I might kiss my kids goodbye in the morning expecting to see them in the evening, but get into a terrible accident and pass on.
All I’m trying to say is that, as we get into the New Year, as we make the different resolutions, let’s not forget that what is ideal for you might not be what the universe will realistically offer you. Besides, remember that every day comes with its own different expectations. Failed expectations breed bitterness which ultimately results into inefficiency.
Is that how you’d want you 2021 to be?
My two cents are that; we should all enter this year without expectations. Paul in Romans encourages us to have hope as an anchor to the soul, firm and secure. Idealism is great if we have the belief that God’s will be done in our lives. Realism can be a sham because our God works in mysterious ways. He definitely can change the statistics to be in your favour. It’s a hard but very necessary balance to strike.
My prayer is that this New Year will be your oyster. Allow God to write your beautify story each and every day as a new chapter. Don’t be limited by the changing expectations of this age or the varying ideals and realism.
I wish you all an amazing 2021 and I hope that you’ll live in the present. Let the light shine your path and let your aura be felt by the universe.
Cheers.
Joel Basoga
Insightful piece. I agree it is important allow God to make our stories, after all, we do not have any control over most events. Happy New Year Daniella!
Khanani Daniella
Thats true.
Thank you for passing by Joel and a happy new year to you too.☺
Joel Basoga
Insightful piece. I agree it is important allow God to make our stories, after all, we do not have any control over most events. Happy New Year Daniella!
Khanani Daniella
Thats true.
Thank you for passing by Joel and a happy new year to you too.☺
yongyera
Beautiful is an understatement and seeing my younger brother Joel say indeed let us allow God to make our stories, having been a jessuper in lawschool, I know how the Chinese flu disorganized events
Khanani Daniella
Thank you for passing by Mwene. And we surely have to let God write our stories for us. Haha surely, having to win JESSUP and not travel was painful 😅 but we moved regardless.
yongyera
I’m always in touch with ILSA as the past national administrator, I saw how things were turning out but glad that you moved on.iam certain that other plans will lay out themselves John Austin would be proud of you on the realist take
Khanani Daniella
Haha surely he would I’m sure. Thank you once again 😊
yongyera
Beautiful is an understatement and seeing my younger brother Joel say indeed let us allow God to make our stories, having been a jessuper in lawschool, I know how the Chinese flu disorganized events
Khanani Daniella
Thank you for passing by Mwene. And we surely have to let God write our stories for us. Haha surely, having to win JESSUP and not travel was painful 😅 but we moved regardless.
yongyera
I’m always in touch with ILSA as the past national administrator, I saw how things were turning out but glad that you moved on.iam certain that other plans will lay out themselves John Austin would be proud of you on the realist take
Khanani Daniella
Haha surely he would I’m sure. Thank you once again 😊
Baluka Hannah Stacey
2020 has been all sorts of a year to us all. It has taught me that control is an illusion and us trying to take the wheel brings all sorts of anxiety. God is a better driver. We can write all our plans in permanent marker but lets try to write the steps in pencil. This is an amazing read. Happy 2021!!
Khanani Daniella
Definitely. Thank you for passing by Hannah and an amazing 2021 to you.
Baluka Hannah Stacey
2020 has been all sorts of a year to us all. It has taught me that control is an illusion and us trying to take the wheel brings all sorts of anxiety. God is a better driver. We can write all our plans in permanent marker but lets try to write the steps in pencil. This is an amazing read. Happy 2021!!
Khanani Daniella
Definitely. Thank you for passing by Hannah and an amazing 2021 to you.
mbnoblin
Thanks for writing this. This year has showed me more clearly that I have choices about how I deal with changes. God knows and controls everything and by remaining grateful and flexible He brings joy in my life. When I submit to God I feel free to relax and focus on the people He puts in my path. It is a habit to develop during these different times. It can be a great adventure. Thanks for your encouraging articles. Happy new year.
Khanani Daniella
Aww you’re welcome Margaret. Thank you for being a guest on my blog and for always following up on the articles I write. You surely are right that we should totally and completely trust in God.
mbnoblin
Thanks for writing this. This year has showed me more clearly that I have choices about how I deal with changes. God knows and controls everything and by remaining grateful and flexible He brings joy in my life. When I submit to God I feel free to relax and focus on the people He puts in my path. It is a habit to develop during these different times. It can be a great adventure. Thanks for your encouraging articles. Happy new year.
Khanani Daniella
Aww you’re welcome Margaret. Thank you for being a guest on my blog and for always following up on the articles I write. You surely are right that we should totally and completely trust in God.
Mbili Freedom
I hope, my unborn child gets to read this blog some day. Beautiful
Khanani Daniella
These words made me smile Mbili. Thank you very much for reading the blog. I hope your beautiful unborn child surely gets to read the blog
☺
Mbili Freedom
I will rub it on her face…🙃🤪
Khanani Daniella
Hahaha please do let me know when she / he comes around
Mbili Freedom
25th January, she will b reading these texts
Khanani Daniella
Awwww so cute 😍
Mbili Freedom
I hope, my unborn child gets to read this blog some day. Beautiful
Khanani Daniella
These words made me smile Mbili. Thank you very much for reading the blog. I hope your beautiful unborn child surely gets to read the blog
☺
Mbili Freedom
I will rub it on her face…🙃🤪
Khanani Daniella
Hahaha please do let me know when she / he comes around
Mbili Freedom
25th January, she will b reading these texts
Khanani Daniella
Awwww so cute 😍