4 Reasons to Lose Your Expectations and Just Breathe

Welcome back friends! 
So have you felt let down, disappointed or surprised, even angry recently? And could it be possibly, due to someone doing something, or something not happening, quite the way you expected? Join the club. I feel myself fall in the Trap over and over again- having a goal, or seeing an outcome that suddenly veers of my course, and takes a turn I wasn't expecting. 
​As a yogi, I then try to teach myself to "just let it go" or "move on" from the situation. But I still feel empty, not fulfilled, even a little confused. And why? Because I had expectations which weren't met. The result isn't what I planned. Despite my strong, determined efforts, I just couldn't control it and something else happened. And boy, that feels, well out of control.
The question is can I avoid the hurt, the pain, the disappointment, before it happens? Why do I set myself up to fall back in the Trap? 
Consider we are at the mercy of the Universe, or God, or Light, Buddha, or whatever you call your Higher Power. What would happen if we placed this desire, this expectation, with this Power, and did eventually release from  an expected outcome? Even if a situation unfolds itself and stays awhile, and it doesn't align with your intentions, or desires, or goals, is it possible to sit back and reclaim your power in choosing not to suffer through the pain of not getting what you expected- in not reacting but responding when ready?
Whether you follow Buddhism or not, there is much to learn from what Buddha taught. For example, there are four Noble Truths of Buddhism I have learned which I share with you:

Suffering  and dissatisfaction exist in life
Suffering arises from attachment to desires, such as control or set expectations
Suffering ceases when these attachments cease to exist
Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path
This liberation from suffering is what many people mean when they use the word “enlightenment."

I have decided to continue to have goals, plans, ideas. But this time I hope to remain in the present moment, taking what comes, and accepting it. I will choose to bathe in my own resilience, stepping aside to get out of my own way.
​Namaste,
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