Anyone remember that segment of Mad TV "Lowered Expectations"? Where it showed people with really awkward tendencies and habits as part of a dating website, there was always a guy scratching his ass as he was walking away too. I hated that segment. So Stupid. It always pissed me off whenever I stayed home from school when I was sick and I watched Mad TV, it seemed to always be on that day and those particular reruns, annoyed the heck out of me.
Moving on.
In life there are always people boosting you up when you're younger. "I have high hopes for Davey..." or "Hailey plays the trumpet so well..." or "Yada yada yada". Whatever it is there have almost always been high expectations for most individuals. And people loved when you met those expectations and bought you ice cream when you didn't, which is probably why I was a plump little boy. Still am.
Now as we grew up there were different sorts of pressures on us. Peer pressure. Dating especially was a big one, if you didn't have a bf or gf throughout high school it seemed like you were looked at differently than those who had dated. It was just weird to me that just the fear of being looked at differently made people do some things that, in my opinion, were silly or unnecessary, but as we all know social status is a thing that we all value in life. How popular one is or what kind of car one drives was far more important than being smart or successful in non-social terms (at least this was the case in high school). People were so concerned with how others viewed them that they would lower their high expectations or standards. As I mentioned, dating was a huge factor. Students, kids, friends, as result of feeling left out, would lower their expectations just to be accepted. And thats fine, I understand how it feels to be left out and I know how it feels to have a great group of friends too (accepted). I have seen many people lower their standards or change their expectations of what they want in a companion (yep I'm old, I just said companion).
I am happy to say that I didn't lower my standards or expectations and it has been great. I have some pretty freakin' awesome friends and a great girlfriend. These people are what make me and I am thankful for them.
Now, I didn't change my standards or expectations but I did change my outlook and that has made a world of difference. If I hadn't changed my outlook I'd still be a miserable person with high hopes and a shit-ton of ice cream. Changing an outlook from a negative outlook or an outlook that doesn't acquire the desired results to a positive or more productive outlook is a great way to improve your life. So do it. Change that outlook, stick to it, and possibly change your life.
I remember quite a few instances when my brother or friends would tell me to lower my standards because I am not going to find this "perfect person" that I envisioned. But I stuck to it. Again, I found my friends and my girlfriend who are all awesome people. I love them all even though sometimes it may not seem like it, but I truly do. Life is good.
All in all, what I'm getting at is DON'T SELL YOURSELF SHORT. EVER. You deserve the best and you're ultimately the only person who can control what you get. Just because other influences on your life gesture or say otherwise doesn't mean that you still don't deserve something incredible.
Contradiction of thought: Ice cream is incredible and free ice cream is better.
Solution to contradiction: Buy ice cream with good reason to celebrate.
P.S. - Don't work 3rd shift if you can help it.
