A friend of mine shared with me about his recent hunting trip. He spent twelve days in the northwest hunting mountain lions. Out of those twelve days he was only able to hunt two of them. There was no snow which is essential for hunting those big cats. He came home disappointed. Another group spent several days in Missouri hunting deer. After nearly two weeks away most of them came home tired, empty handed, and disappointed as well. Many of my trips this year have also proved to be less than expected. The excuses abound but the emotions were always the same - disappointment. Disappointments are a very real part of life. They are as sure as death. They come disguised as things like hope, potential, and expectation. They play with our mind and heart. One is left confused and the other broken.
Successful people have learned how to deal with this emotion. They have come to see disappointments not as a surprise but as commonplace. They understand they are a sign of people who expect great things and who look for the positive in a sometimes negative world. Someone has said, "Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed." It is true. If our expectations are low our disappointments will be few. For me, the price is too high. I had rather breathe in the rarified air that surrounds those who expect great things from flawed individuals. I had rather raise the bar of hope in my fellow man than wallow in the same mire as others who are constantly negative. I don't know of a better New Year's resolution than to decide to expect great things from myself and others around me. The few times my expectations will be exceeded will far outweigh a multitude of disappointments.

gary@outdoortruths.org ~ www.outdoortruths.org