I was disappointed with an individual in the past year. That person, a professional colleague, clearly dismissed my perspectives with regard to my experience and vision as an educator. I saw so much potential for a particular situation, yet that potential was dismissed in favor of different paths and solutions.
It was a complex situation, and I knew there was no one or easy answer, but I was disappointed. We will be disappointed from time to time in life, and when this happens we have a number of choices. In this decision, I simply stepped back--I had too many reasons why it was not a good time to contest the individual's decision to dismiss my ideas, too many reasons why it was a good idea to step back. Yet, in another situation in the past year where there was disappointment, I clearly needed to work for better resolve, and a peaceful, positive solution was found--that was very good.
When are we disappointed?
Why are we disappointed?
How do we act?
Four years ago, I was very disappointed when Republicans became the majority in the Senate. I was even more disappointed as I witnessed the devastation they caused in that position. That's why I committed so much time, some dollars, and good energy to support a Democratic majority in Congress--once again, we need to clearly focus our attention on this goal for 2022. Our country will essentially be sold to a destructive group of lying bigots and corrupt individuals, if we don't work for fair voting rights and good, honest, hard working leaders. The repungnant GOP that continues to support Trump's freakshow, self-serving politics are a danger to good living everywhere in the United States. I don't want to experience the disappointment I experienced during that GOP-heavy Senate time.
Sometimes I am disappointed with myself. Generally when that happens, I look at the patterns of action and speak that led to that disappointment, and work to make change.
And now, if I get disappointed with friends or family members, I will kindly deal with that in an honest, compassionate, empathetic way. Disappointments with loving friends and family often come from misunderstanding, and can be easily fixed if dealt with in a timely, sensitive, caring manner.
Disappointment about life in general happens. We can't live all lives or be all people, and from time to time, we may wish our lives had some components that don't exist. This happens, and we can recognize that disappointment and choose to work for change or recognize that this is simply the way it is, and be grateful for the good lives we do have.
Disappointment happens in life. It's good to understand where that disappointment comes from and what we choose to do in the face of that disappointment. This is one more aspect of the big lives we lead. Onward.