WHEN A DOOR CLOSES…

Some Valid Rants For The New Year

I would like my car to fly and make me breakfast, but that’s an unrealistic expectation. Jack Tretton

I’ve learnt not to have unrealistic expectations of people and not to project my expectations on them either. It’s one reason i’ll never get bitter at anyone or hold people captives in my heart. Men are men I’ve come to learn. I’ll rather lower my expectations of people and be amazed when they deliver than expect much from them only to be disappointed when they fail to live up to my expectations.

Don’t be quick to think of me as a cynic or narcissist. I hope/believe the best of people. People change for the better. Meanwhile, there are really great ones out there – some of whom I’m blessed to know. However, I do well not to live on/by chances.

Perhaps you are someone like me…the type who likes to spend and be spent for others but find it difficult to ask for help when there is need for it. And why is that: It somehow makes you feel like you’re trying to take advantage of them or something. However, there arise a number of occasions when there is a pressing financial need and you are forced to come out of your shell. So, reluctantly, you talk to Uncle A and Friend B about it.

Uncle A tells you he is sorry that he can’t help ‘at this time’ as he just offset some bills recently and is cash-strapped himself. As for Friend B, he really wished he could assist you but doesn’t just have the means to do so at moment. Phew! For someone who hardly bothers others with his personal issues, getting such responses eventually may feel like a slap in the face.

In such cases, you can either feel entitled and be bitter or take the outcome in good faith, move on and trust God to meet that need in His own way.

But Uncle A can’t be broke as he claimed. Didn’t he just purchase a piece of property and bought his wife a new ride while at it? Meanwhile, Friend B is just plainly tightfisted; he never wanted to give in the first place.

Consider this: What if neither Uncle A or Friend B didn’t have what to spare as they claimed? Perhaps they could do much more in the nearest future. And even if they had and wouldn’t give…so what? They aren’t responsible for me and neither do I labour for them. Why then should I hold a grudge against them for not being helpful?

Interestingly, in most cases, such needs are met through means I least expected.

Regardless of disappointing experiences I have in my dealings with folks, regardless of the unpleasant turn of events, it doesn’t change my resolve to always be the best of me. The truth is when a door closes, another opens. Unfortunately, the man who becomes fixated on a particular closed door may never notice when the other opens.

True, you get to have men (not spirits) minister to your needs. You however don’t get to determine who exactly will. Doing so may imply setting yourself up for a certain circle of disappointments and heartaches.

Tieing the nots

It’s a new year. Don’t have exaggerated/unrealistic expectations of folks. Enlarge your heart/mind. See beyond the limited sphere. Be intelligent with situations, experiences and actions. Never forget that there are always two sides to a coin. Believe/hope the best of people but never rest your hope on people. Rather than be the gimme guy, strive to be the giving guy. Do your best to take responsibility for your life and trust God to meet your every needs.

When a door closes, another opens!

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Thank you for reading.

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©ayansolaibukun