High Expectations

Last night my three-year-old daughter said to me “when I grow up I’m going to have eight kids, and I’ll read all of them as many books as they want.” This was after I had agreed to read her a mere two books…which was clearly not up to her standards.

I’m not too worried that some day I’ll end up with eight grandkids that will expect me to read them libraries full of books, while Ava jets off to Paris on vacation (which is what I try to do whenever my mom comes to visit). But it’s sad that she’s already disappointed (at the unfairness of life? in me?) and wanting more. Do we have an innate obsession with wanting more? Or is this just one of the first items on the long list of things she’ll blame me for later while her therapist hands her a Kleenex®? No…it can’t just be me. As consumers we want Extra Value Meals! BOGOs! Lower Interest Rates! Free Shipping! As employees we want more vacation, less overtime, higher pay. I’ve even heard rumors that (some) clients seem to want more work for lower charges, faster responses with less input, and bigger results from smaller investments. We all want more from everyone. And everyone wants more from us. Even our President is saying “Yes we can. Eventually. Keep working harder on it.”

Are we just scared? Of our economy collapsing? Of another 911? Of losing our jobs? Of not making our mortgage payments? Of not being read enough books before bedtime?
I don’t think so. I think even Montana’s pioneer women wished they had more vegetables in the garden. Indoor plumbing. Running water. They had no idea that in the future we’d be scheduling a run to Albertson’s® before their “20% off Wine” special ended. (Poor girls…I can’t imagine.) And where would we all be now…if they hadn’t wanted more then? I shudder to think.

“Optimist” is not a word people use to describe me. Usually, my glass is half empty. Some days the water is all over the floor. Life is hard. I could complain for hours. But the truth is…I have a great job, nice home, wonderful family, supportive friends, good health. And yes, I’ll always want more. But today, I’m trying to be grateful for what I have.

Of course, that won’t stop me from searching for a good free shipping coupon code. Let me know if you have a good one.