If you've been exposed at all to self-help books, personal or professional development, or law of attraction or spiritual teachers of any kind, you've been exposed to the idea that you get what you expect, or maybe that you get what you focus on.
Many people object to this principle, protesting that they would never want or expect illness, financial difficulties, or other negative circumstances. While it is true that most of us would never consciously expect, desire or focus on attracting an unwanted circumstance, we often unconsciously attract those situations into our lives through our expectations.
The disconnect lies in our understanding of expectations. An expectation often has nothing to do with conscious anticipation. Instead our conscious and unconscious expectations are formed through our exposure to the thoughts, words, teachings and other programming we are subject to throughout our lives.
Our expectations come from our beliefs, many of which were formed in childhood, and as a result are so ingrained in us that we never even identify, let alone examine them in any meaningful way. For example, if we grew up in a household that believed in financial lack, that good health was a matter of luck or 'good genes', or that life is just a series of random events over which we have no control, we will often embrace these ideas. As a result, we form expectations of the same.
On the other hand, we can consciously and deliberately examine our beliefs and consciously decide to expect what we desire, rather than what we think is inevitable. Today, pick an area of your life and examine the patterns you have experienced. Then explore the beliefs you hold about that particular topic. Think back to the conversations you heard during your childhood and how they influenced your current belief system. When you have identified your set of beliefs, you can then question them and deliberately set a different expectation for your life.
This week, set an intention to purposely expect the best life has to offer.