Expectations Weigh Us Down Poem by Anita Atina

When the journey changes from discovery
Where joyful surprises, wait at every turn
To one of expectation,
We slow down

As we start to weigh and ponder
Every experience, with seriousness
That belies our understanding of situations
Often led by factors, beyond our control

This journey towards a more aware, and perhaps
A more truthful way of living, becomes difficult
We are then a beast of burden, flailing and toiling
Under the weight of our own expectations

Not realizing that to break free, we must travel light
Stay unchained to false expectations from people, from situations,
From the world, and even guard against the false belief
That we need to take ourselves seriously

Walking unhindered, free to make mistakes
What if we tumble and fall,
Bruised bodies and even hearts
Eventually heal

For the meaning of life
Isn’t found in the airy concepts
Of awareness, oft spoken but rarely lived
In esoteric explanations of the universe, both old and new

The meaning of life lies hidden
In plain view
Showing up in how we live, everyday
In loving unconditionally

And even in what we choose to be our legacy
For by the choices we make
While discarding false expectations
We honour the gift of life itself