Expectations

We could tell stories forever about expectations. What we wanted yet what we ended up with. Stories of people who insisted they were living the good life when in actuality they were living in a dream world. Others who yearned for certain things in life only to find emptiness once they were achieved.

My own mother admitted to aching to have something yet instantly wanting something else after getting the first item.

Never satisfied? Always or frequently disappointed?  What is it with expectations?

Before tossing them out entirely, it is good to know expectations play a role in life. These are the tools with which we dream. How can we reach higher goals if we don’t envision what it is we are reaching for?

Good question. Maybe there are companion tools that can help?

Let’s see – maybe we notice an injustice or stark lack of a basic necessity in the life of others. Like, maybe clean water, ready accessibility to clean water supplies? We wonder what it would be like if this problem were solved or erased. What would that circumstance look like? What are the barriers to making this happen?

Supplies of clean drinking water in many parts of the world are lacking. Parts of South America, Africa, Asia. Vast territories where inhabitants spend vast amounts of time just trekking to wellheads or pools, then lugging heavy vessels back to home. Those treks solve the water problem for only a few hours. Then someone else repeats the trek to fetch the family’s water.

Drilling fresh-water wells in key locations is one solution. Capping the well with pipes and valves that preserve the water yet allow access 24/7/365 to those who need it. More wells in more places shorten the arduous trips to the well.

In time, a distribution network of water pipes can be built to villages and towns. Soon abundant water supplies are available to a larger region and its people. Later, indoor plumbing will come to those who can afford it.

Someone needs to drill the wells. Someone needs to build the wellheads. Someone else needs to teach local residents how to expand on this system. There are companies and charitable institutions that do this. The Clinton Foundation is one such organization. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is another. Many international church organizations do this. But the need is great and more help would be a blessing to millions of people. Now.

Of course this story focuses on cultures less fortunate than ours. But we have the same need here in America, too. Many backwater towns and villages in poverty areas have this need. And then there are the stories of failed infrastructures and government, like Flint, Michigan. A tragedy to its victims; a travesty of malfeasance of government to all in the region. Criminal malfeasance.

To the rescue is Elon Musk. It is not particularly his problem to solve yet he has chosen to do so. He has pledged to brink fresh, safe water to each Flint household in need. That means replacing dangerously toxic water supply pipes leading to homes, and replacing lead pipes in homes that taint good water entering the home.

Elon Musk sees a need and fills it. It is his expectation that all should have good water at their home in America. It is not a pipe dream (pardon the pun), but a realistic expectation of needs filled with doable actions. Each of us can do this.

But first we must dream what can be, then make it happen.

Want to lead a sober life? Look to others who have won this battle, then follow their route. Want to avoid drugs or get them out of your life? Look to others who have won this battle, then follow them on the path to sobriety.

Want to be rich to pamper yourself? Follow the path of others…wait! That usually doesn’t work. Doing something to reward the self rarely does work. No, the best model is to do something for someone else. Make the community stronger. Help a family through a tough time. help someone live through a difficult illness. Imagine the world filled with people willing to step forward and help. That is a realistic expectation. It relies on you and your commitment. Not someone else’s.

Expectations are realistic when focused on others. Think about that. Then choose the compelling interest to you. And get to work.

These are dreams and hopes. And do-ables if enough of us care and set to work it through. It’s not rocket science. It’s care, love, and…love.

Washington DC is in need of this love. Well, maybe that’s too big an expectation!

July 17, 2018