“I’ve stopped expecting anything from myself,
much like how I’ve stopped expecting things from other people.”

We all use empty words sometimes, and those words always lead to expectations.

Christian was no exception, and neither was the friend I thought would stay forever.

My realization through contemplative prayer started with the idea of ‘loving your neighbor as yourself.’
It hit me that this applies to ‘me’ too.
Just as I let go of expectations for my neighbors, I need to do the same for myself.
I need to apply the same standard: no resentment, only love, and no empty talk.
If I stop making empty promises to myself, the weight of expectation starts to fade.

It’s hard, though. It almost feels like a lack of responsibility toward myself.
But just as I wouldn’t lie to anyone else, I shouldn’t lie to myself.

Thank you, God, for this peace.