Disappointment: Don't be on the giving end.

I have recently learned that no advantage comes from getting angry because of other people disappointing you. Disappointment is such a terrible feeling as it is, so adding anger and frustration behind it only makes the matter worse. Besides, when someone knows they disappointed you, you can rest assured that they experience one the most devastating feelings our human nature has to offer... a sense of inadequacy or worthlessness (unless that person is so blind to his own actions that he doesn't even realize that he has fallen short of any expectation placed on him).

For me, I strive to go above and beyond my call of duty in whatever is asked of me. I want things to be done to the best of my ability or above my ability. I have disappointed my fair share of individuals, and I never want to feel inadequate again (though I'm sure I will). In helping others, I want to do everything I can to make their life easier. I want them to trust that when they call on me for something, they are going to get more than than a "valiant try;" they are going to get "exceeding success." I have claimed Ecclesiastes 9:10: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."

This is why I cannot understand the mindset of those who consistently fail at simple tasks. Do they not feel the shame of disappointing others? That in itself should be enough to prod us to want to increase our efforts. I guess that's why I'd rather be the one disappointed as opposed to being the one disappointing.

Comments

Crossing the Line.... The Sin of Androgyny

Puke, Vomit, Hurl. These are the best words I can bring up (pun intended) to describe my disgust for cultural androgyny – the societal blurring of the gender lines. We live in a culture where masculinity is criticized for its rough exterior and insensitivity, and feminism is elevated as the preferred trait among men. To succumb to this idea, it is now acceptable for parents buy their son girls’ jeans and allow him to grow his hair out long enough to make Rapunzel jealous. This same culture that belittles masculinity in men, promotes it for women. Our daughters are told that there are no barriers or rules for dress. Anything goes, even if that means looking the part of their male counterparts. Society warns that it would be an epic failure to ask individuals to don a gender-appropriate hairstyle or wear gender-appropriate attire because “you may damage their psyche” and you might “limit their opportunity to express individuality.” In the 1970s, Sandra Bem – the inventor of the B

"And We Esteemed Him Not"

During a recent Sunday evening service, Pastor Bickelhaupt asked what it was that is so important as to keep church members from attending church when they know the doors are open and services are being held. He went on to say that people willfully reject the prospect of meeting with Christ Himself (as His presence is promised when the church meets together in His name). Jesus promises in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Pastor implied that there are too many professing Christians who find it preferable to attend the weekly Sunday morning worship hour, but find gracing the church building outside of that service to be merely optional, an inconvenience, or just not that important. It got me thinking. What could possibly be more important than meeting with the Savior?! Here is Someone Who gave everything for us. He literally sacrificed a heavenly abode for an earthly bed mat, for scripture reveals that He had no

Enabling Parent: Confront yourself, not your child's teacher

Have you ever wrongly blamed someone for something you didn't know you did? I think we've all been there. It's not a pleasant situation to find yourself in for sure, because crow tastes awful. I remember once blaming a college roommate for throwing away a midterm paper I had spent hours writing. I became flustered and angry and said some regrettable things to him. After rewriting my assignment, I headed to the printing lab, where I had left my first report lying at the printing table. Open mouth, insert crow. Fastforward 18 years. I am now an educator, and our school just finished up our first-quarter Parent-Teacher Conference. I dread the Parent-Teacher Conference. My fellow teachers also dread them. Why? In one word.... Parents. Today's parents (for the most part) are enablers. The enabling trend has worsened over the years with the ever-increasing influence of technology and the digital age (the connection is worthy of its own blog). Over the last 15

Thoughts from Within

Search This Blog