Disclaimer: The
following post on the SJBMCPRS Report is not to be taken overly seriously, and
is purposely expressive with an intent to imply the author’s perspective (which
people are free to view if they choose to). However, the contents of this post
will contain some real-world properties and dark tones, which along with the
entirety of this post may be taken as offensive to people.
“Expect
everything so that nothing comes unexpected.” - Norton Juster
Life
is full of ...moments; each (whether one (1) is aware of it or not), leads to
sequences where the mind accumulates what is transpiring, and subsequently we
react. The phrase: “Don’t judge a book by its cover”; is a metaphor for life
that in some configuration is learned so that we enter moments open-minded and
train ourselves not to follow initial reactions as definitive, but instead use
those processes as a guide. Why? Because we make decisions and react with
everything we come across instantaneously; whether it is an involuntary thought
or not. Actions that may prove to be regrettable with hindsight, or not to
one’s expectations, are made based on how we’ve taught and trained ourselves to
feel and respond when a moment transpires.
So
then what reaction does one (1) give in response when presented with a choice?
The answer depends on what is at stake, and what is the most appealing and
significant to you. Rice or pasta? Nintendo 64 or PlayStation? the red or blue
pill? Cyndaquil, Totodile, or Chikorita? Sacrifice Chloe, or sacrifice Arcadia
Bay in Life Is Strange, Oak or pine effect on a wooden storage unit for DVDs?
Obey a loved one’s wishes to a DNR, or override that wish in the belief of that
person will overcome the fatal condition? Labour, UKIP, or Conservative? Read a
book as your leisure, or go out and watch a film in the cinema with friends?
Regardless of the decisions you make or the potential outcomes; an array of
response will inevitably follow whether it is a satisfactory feeling that comes
from zoning out and reading the newly released Harry Potter and the Cursed
Child Parts I & II book, or the discontent from friends who wanted to watch
Finding Dory and expected you to be there with them. (In case anyone is wondering what MY choice would be; it would be the
book over the cinematic experience. Condemn me now!)
(Record abruptly stopping
sound) I’m not saying that this WILL happen, but there’s a good chance of this
hypothetical example becoming a reality somewhere in the world, given that both
products will be available at the conclusion of July 2016. I must also stress
that this is NOT meant to imply anyone or any people specifically with this
example.
Whether
the decision is based on personal reasons, act utilitarianism, rule
utilitarianism, or the flip of a coin; it is the choice that you make that
affects subsequent outcomes whether they be significant to you or not. While
some moments will have greater significance and potential consequences; the way
one (1) reacts is definitive. Which means consequently things may not turn out
the way one (1) expects (for better or worse), and be significant with an
outcome that is unexpected or not prepared for. Hence the title of this post
being titled: ‘Diversified expectations’.
There
is no singular expectation in life; and while there are numerous examples that
one (1) can understand and live by, it won’t, nor ever will be universally
compatible with everyone because we are unique, and therefore different. For
those who choose the rule of Christianity; there are those who are exposed to
those conditions and expectations (or know of the ways of Christianity) that
don’t comply with their morals, teachings, lifestyle etc. And as diverse as
religions, morals, and ethics are; so too are the expectations from person to
person. No ‘one-way’ works with everyone, and because of differences, there
will unquestionably be difficulties and complications.
In
the previous post ‘Apprehension towards evolution’; I (the author) mentioned
the Myers-Briggs personality assessment, and upon completing the assessment I
was notified that my personality type is that of an INFJ. One (1) of the
defining attributes of this personality type is introvert, which is an accurate
way of explaining my choice of actions and preferences. In person I am someone
who is reserved, and prefers to not become the centre of attention, and would
find solace in a subdued and mundane environment. Therefore; I am less likely
to comprehend someone who cannot stand in one (1) place for too long and
becomes a human magnet attracting attention from time to time. Here lies some
of the difficulties and complications that I have come across; while I have
co-existed with people who are outgoing, and gone to lengths to adapt and
satisfy those people, there have been countless moments where I could not live
up to one’s expectations due to the incompatibility of our different
personalities. This is nothing new or recent; I have learnt through verbal
scolding and unpleasant experiences throughout my life. The only difference is
nowadays I can comprehend why these consequential actions happened, by
recognising patterns in those moments, and learning about the differences that
people have. In essence I have evolved into a wiser being through those
experiences.
Alas,
having an understanding of the varied differences in people and they’re
personalities means I am incompatible with some people I know or interact with.
Realising another person’s traits won’t comply with mine means I can only go so
far before difficulties arise and discontent with one another develops. It’s
not actual hatred per say like for example: “You are dead to me; I wish a
hundred (100) major league baseball (MLB) players pulverised you into the
ground with their baseball bats”. The discontent comes from choices made that can’t
please everyone, lack of equal-footing, and lack of understanding about
differences and needs, and how to adapt together. The routine of
disappointments and un-fulfilment due to the incompatibility of people’s
expectations however can lead to woe.
Say
for example; person A asked person B, person C, and person D to come out to the
town and ‘do stuff’, person C, and person D oblige and appear, but person B
does not come. In turn that makes person A unhappy with person B because person
B is not living up to the expectations of a ‘friend’ defined by person A. This absence
on behalf of person B is due to feeling fatigued with the again and again
insistence of person A, and unable to do things that person B enjoys. Choosing
to not adhere means person B can relax, do whatever feels enjoyable, and as a
bonus means that money can be saved up, and squabbles don’t arise as they do
because person A wants to ‘do this and do that’ when person B doesn’t want to.
If we define person A as an ESFP – someone who is typically spontaneous, and
energetic, and define person B as an INTJ – someone who is private and
calculating, then one (1) might see how both types of people can’t effortlessly
intertwine with one another at the rate that fulfils each person’s
expectations. Person A being the type of person who needs excitement to avoid
the kryptonite that is ‘boredom’, and people to be with to avoid loneliness,
would be somewhat sporadic, which in turn causes complications for person B who
likes to plan ahead and feels composed in an environment that is their own. In
turn; person B’s Modus
operandi would not sit well with person A, who chooses not to comply with
person B when person C and person D are meeting the expectations of person A. Thus
complications and a sense of discontent grow between person A and person B
because these two (2) unique people cannot find a middle-ground (compromise)
and go about their ways.
(Record abruptly stopping
sound) I must stress once more; that this is NOT meant to imply anyone or any
people specifically with this example. This is a hypothetical example based on
realistic experiences.
Now
it is crucial to point out that the examples given above are not definitive, as
people with different personalities around the world do counteract with stated
examples. Having a difference of personality from another person does not equal
fallout and violence, just like two (2) people with different zodiac signs
doesn’t mean they are incompatible. The purpose of the examples provided above
is intended to reflect upon an understanding that people are diverse and with
that diversity comes differences that may cause complications. Therefore, it is
unreasonable to expect certain things and qualities from other people who
cannot comply with desired expectations.
So
why is it there is evidence of discontent and ‘bashing’ amongst people who
dislike something in particular? Why is it seemingly so difficult for people to
simply accept that something or someone is a certain way and let it be? Everyone
has expectations; whether they’d be high or low expectations. Furthermore;
people are capable of having a diverse valuation system (opinion) on many
matters which can differ from an opinion of someone else and cause upheaval.
Nobody is wrong, but no one (1) is right either. Expectations differ from
person to person due to the perspectives that are as unique as the person who
has them, and with there being an estimate of seven (7) billion people living
on Earth...that is a lot to comprehend. Even though not everyone is capable of
expressing opinion or have the means to do so as those who have access to
social media like Twitter; there is no way of satisfying everyone. It begs the
question; what do people mean when they have ‘considered the general public’
in-mind of something that is addressed to the public, do they really consider
EVERYONE?! All seven billion (7,000,000,000+) plus people living on Earth?
Somehow I doubt it, which means these people who create products aimed at the
general public, should really by saying something like: ‘vast majority’ instead
of ‘aimed at the general public’. But I
digress; as it is only a saying and I’m thinking too much into it...
With
such a mind-blowing predicament to consider; is it really all that surprising
to see a diverse response to nearly everything there is? What is also
problematic is that opinions change; so it’s somewhat challenging to have an
absolute believe in what one (1) person or publication says, due to the ever-changing
circumstances existing all around us. One (1) resource can say that the Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows film is ‘better’ than its predecessor,
but then another can state that its ‘worse’ than the preceding film. Someone
today could make the remark that Barack Obama is a ‘decent’ United States
president, but then go back on his/her words years later and say ‘Obama wasn’t
very good as president; he didn’t solve problems, he only made more of them’.
Expectations are a part of the matter because peoples’ opinions are based on
whether or not something meets their expectations.
And
it’s good and all that there are quotes like: “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be
disappointed.” – Alexander Pope, but the quote itself, much like many of
them, including the one (1) stated above: “Expect
everything so that nothing comes unexpected.” are naïve and unrealistic. In
a realistic (though still hypothetical) concept; no one (1) can live with such
ignorance if they are a parent and he or she is raising their child to be safe
and wary when going outside. When said parent is teaching the child about
‘don’t trust strangers’, and ‘wait for the green traffic-light before crossing
the road’, he or she expects the child to adhere to this important information
and be safe and wary. You can’t be ignorant and expect nothing’ in a situation
like that. The same argument can be made for a president of a manufacturing
company, and for countless other real life situations. Alas the same must be
said about: “Expect everything so that
nothing comes unexpected.” Though I try to adhere to this ‘wisdom’ and
strive to prepare myself for any kind of situation (especially terrible
situations where I could die), it is dismayingly unnerving when something I
could not have anticipated occurs, and catches me by surprise. I know I am
looking too deeply into these quotes and how they are unrealistic, but I simply
cannot keep my expectations so low that they are below the Earth’s Inner Core,
nor can I be impartial when it comes to certain matters.
As
a hypocrite who accepts that people have the freedom and means to express
themselves (and will do so if something does or doesn’t meet their
expectations), and tries to ignore the vast society because a perceive myself
as the ‘World’s Nemesis’ and is nothing more than a threat to everyone around
me; ...I cannot maintain my qualms and racialist attributes when I am presented
with a situation that frustrates me. It would be easier to take a Piledriver
(wrestling move) and live with the repercussions of a broken neck for the rest
of my life then it would be to be open-minded and not judge on myself or the
things that irk me, like how people can get so offended by something that is
justifiable or by someone saying something. I have expressed some irritations
in previous posts, so I will not delve any further by bringing up those said
irritations, but I would be remiss if I said it doesn’t bother me when this
eye-rolling, exasperating nonsense rears its ugly head from time to time. To
that I will say this:
“Oh,
you’re offended are you? Well then good for you, now shut up and quit wasting
everyone’s time by banging on about how ‘this’ offends you. The world is not
all sugar and rainbows; worse stuff happens okay?!”
Is
it okay for people to be divisive about what is significant to them and how
something or someone doesn’t oblige with their expectations? Should we tolerate
the accumulating flood of drama brought on by people not getting their way in
the face of greater concerns going on around us? ...(sigh) In a perfect world;
the answer would be ‘No’, but there is no such thing as a ‘perfect world’, and
we have to co-exist with the imperfections that come in all forms. Difficulties
are as likely of disappearing as Jupiter crashing down on Earth, putting on
sunglasses and having a rousing conversation with William Shakespeare! I have
to tolerate the inconveniences mentioned above, and the countless that will
surely befall me in the future, just like everyone else. Life is diverse to say
the least (and crammed full of headaches), but if you’re expectations are set
right, you may be able to make the most of life’s precious opportunities.
Be
thankful for what you have, not bitter about how things don’t always go the way
you expect.
This
will conclude post number thirty-two (32) (no.32) on the SJBMCPRS Report. I
hope the contents of this post didn’t offend you too, and may have enlightened
somewhat about expectations. Remember to be wise about the circumstances around
you, and how to perceive a future you can adapt to. Until next, see ya!
