Expectations

I believe that the things I have been learning by the spirit was revelation from God specifically for me in my life right now.  I loved this quote that Goddard mentioned from Tzvetan Todorov: 

"To care about someone does not mean sacrificing one's time and energy for that person.  It means devoting them to the person and taking joy in doing so; in the end, one feels richer for one's efforts, not poorer." 

I absolutely loved this quote and it made perfect sense to me!  I have been struggling this past week in my relationships trying to feel truly happy and fulfilled.  I have been focusing a lot on unrealistic expectations that I have of others and how I think they should be acting towards me, and that just isn't right if I want to be Christ-like and develop His kind of love for others.  Goddard says later that "rather than fill ourselves with indignation and demands, we turn to kindness and respect".  As I was pondering about why I have been feeling unhappy and unsatisfied lately, and as I read these things, it struck me that I need to be humble.  I need to see the good in others and serve them with all of my heart.  As I was reading Gottman's chapters, that revelation was reaffirmed to me, and I am resolved to be less demanding of others and more accepting of their strengths AND weaknesses, and if they care about and love me, that should be enough to satisfy all of my crazy expectations.  I know I won't be perfect at it right away, but I am excited to start trying to change the way I perceive my relationships.