Great Thoughts on Disappointment
A Bridge To Acceptance
Dealing With Disappointment
Whenever we do something in life with an expectation of how we’d like it to turn out, we risk experiencing disappointment. When things don’t go the way we had envisioned, we may feel a range of emotions from slightly let down to depressed or even angry. We might direct our feelings inward toward ourselves, or outward toward other people or the universe in general. Whether we feel disappointed by ourselves, a friend, or life in general, disappointment is always a tough feeling to experience. Still, it is a natural part of life, and there are many ways of dealing with it when we find ourselves in its presence.
As with any feeling, disappointment has come to us for a reason, and we don’t need to fear acknowledging it or feeling it. The more we are able to accept how we are feeling and process it, the sooner we will move into new emotional territory. As we sit down to allow ourselves to feel our disappointment, we might want to write about the experience of being disappointed the situation that preceded it, what we were hoping would happen, and what did happen. The gift of disappointment is its ability to bring us into alignment with reality so that we don’t get stuck for too long in the realm of how things might have been.
Dealing With Disappointment
Whenever we do something in life with an expectation of how we’d like it to turn out, we risk experiencing disappointment. When things don’t go the way we had envisioned, we may feel a range of emotions from slightly let down to depressed or even angry. We might direct our feelings inward toward ourselves, or outward toward other people or the universe in general. Whether we feel disappointed by ourselves, a friend, or life in general, disappointment is always a tough feeling to experience. Still, it is a natural part of life, and there are many ways of dealing with it when we find ourselves in its presence.
As with any feeling, disappointment has come to us for a reason, and we don’t need to fear acknowledging it or feeling it. The more we are able to accept how we are feeling and process it, the sooner we will move into new emotional territory. As we sit down to allow ourselves to feel our disappointment, we might want to write about the experience of being disappointed the situation that preceded it, what we were hoping would happen, and what did happen. The gift of disappointment is its ability to bring us into alignment with reality so that we don’t get stuck for too long in the realm of how things might have been.
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"God does not care about our mathmatecial difficulties - he integrates emperically!" - Albert Einstein
"God does not care about our mathmatecial difficulties - he integrates emperically!" - Albert Einstein
Michelle,
I learned very early in recovery, many years ago, to work on lowering my expectations, especially where other people are concerned. I also like to take the story out of the Big Book, the one that has the great acceptance passage. In it, the author says, nothing happens in God's world by mistake, or something like that. I like to reread that acceptance passage a lot. I just can't remember the name of the story, because it changed titles in the 4th edition, and I still remember the title from the 3rd edition.
Having my spiritual life in order helps me deal with disappointment and put it in perspective. I see disappointments as challenges to help me grow spiritually. Is God in control, or not? I have to put my faith into action, and live out what I believe when things don't go my way.
Thanks for the great meditation.
Hugs,
Trish
Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Thanks a bunch.
Back atcha with the love.
Huggles,
Trish
Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Thank YOU and Trish for this post..
lately I have felt disappointed but of course it's from my own doings. Which isn't it always the case.. for some reason in my mind (addict mind).. I seem to fantasize grandiose thoughts about situations and when the reality of it (which most times I do know, but allow my fantasy to play out).. I'm left with that disappointed feeling and sadness. 
I have been saying the Serenity Prayer more the past few days.. and I know soon I will have the courage to do what I already have the wisdom of.
hugss~
It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end. ~Ursula K. LeGuin
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