Expectations
~~~
If I expect nothing of myself
Then nothing I become
And the gift of time is wasted
Leaving only crumbs
~~~
If I set the bar too high
Failure is easy to find
And the fear of failing
An obstacle to the mind
~~~
If I set the bar too low
Success is more assured
But then I oddly wonder
What is the bar there for
~~~
If I set my eyes upon
Just gaining an inch each day
The gift of time will be well used
And I, changed in wonderful ways
~~~
Tomorrow never promised
But I do have a plan
Gain that next inch of growth
And become a better man
~~~
commonsensiblyspeaking 
I love this approach and attitude. I took a yoga class a couple of years ago, and was a beginning beginner. I looked around and most others were at a more advanced level. I talked to my teacher about it and she said, ‘each person has their own practice. just think, each time you are here, you are going an inch further. just imagine what will happen over time.’ it really helped me not compare myself and put it all in perspective.
It is human nature to measure ourselves. The important thing is what we measure ourselves against. Thank you for sharing your experience, Beth! It is a perfect analogy. 🙏
I keep reminding myself in all I do, it is progress and not perfection I am after. I believe the only true failures in life are those who believe they have no room left for improvement. Well said, my friend!
Thank you, Kristian! Much love to you!
This brings up so much circuitous thought in my head that I can’t separate the thoughts enough to put them into sentences. It may be one of those things we put on the list to talk about when we are face-to-face for a length of time. But I really liked this message!
Understandable. Put it on the list. Love you!
This poem contains a very valuable lesson as well as an example of how to approach life in a positive, growth oriented manner. Wonderful writing my friend!
Thank you, brother!
You’re very welcome my brother!
Marvelous piece of work, Brad! You know I’m a sucker for positivity. Those incremental improvements eventually add up.
Thank you, Pete! It is all about the journey.
So true what you write, it does depend on whose bar you are using. I try to use what I think Jesus would want me to do and who He would want me to be. Of course, I fall miserably short of that. Still something we should all think about because life is short. Love Jonikins 🎊👍🌼
Any bar is better than no bar. We must seek progress over perfection. 🙏