(A “Notes to Self” Series)

Quote for Tuesday, 19 February 2019

“Look. I have a strategy. Why expect anything? If you don’t expect anything, you don’t get disappointed.”

― Patricia McCormick, Cut

When we hope, we look forward to better things to come. When we are optimistic, we have the propensity to think that it would really be so.

This quote may initially seem to be an antithesis of hope and optimism. Say, for example, we don’t expect our dear one to give us flowers on Valentine’s Day. If we really don’t get anything on the day, then we won’t get flustered. In fact, we won’t mind at all because the thought of not getting something didn’t really predominate our thoughts in the first place. There won’t be a lover’s quarrel. There’ll be no broken hearts. No tears will fall. No one gets hurt. It’ll be fine. Everyone will be in good terms. Right?

Maybe yes, but maybe it’s not. Well, I guess the answer depends on the circumstances.

There are instances where expectations don’t need to be set. However, there are times when we really have to set standards, benchmarks, and all. Going back to our example, we really can do without the annual Heart’s Day if we live in a remote area where there’s no internet, social media or advertising around; if not, then we really have to live and deal with the reality. We could always choose to look at the brighter side. Perhaps there are important things that money could buy. Maybe your dear one may not buy you something, but he does things that make every day seem like Valentine’s Day; wouldn’t that be even better? The best things in life are free.

Further, I don’t reckon that McCormick’s words are meant to discourage us from planning for the future, identifying goals, and setting parameters of what constitutes successful implementation of our strategy. I am inclined to presume that all of such still needs to be done. We are not advised to be complacent, but we still need to exert our best efforts.

Her emphasis, though, is on how we’d react when there are unforeseen eventualities or setbacks. Do we mop? Should we get angry? Do we stop? Do we give up?

It’s normal to feel emotions. That’s what makes us humans. However, in life, we shouldn’t surmise that everything will always go according to our plan. That’s an expectation we shouldn’t have (although it’s wise to make sure our plans work). There are valid thoughts that we could hold on to, though, for us to keep on going.

Expect the worst, but plan for the best. That’s one cliche that resonates much sense. It entails exhausting all the right means to achieve reasonable goals yet being realistic enough to acknowledge realities.

Do your best, and God will do the rest. Now that one is definitely my favourite. I still believe, regardless.

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(For more quotes about hope, check out Goodreads.)