I've been having a difficult time lately coming to grips with some things in my life that are not within my control. I can change things about myself but I can't change anyone else and I find myself putting too much faith in hope. Of course one of the problems with hope, is that you have no actual control over what it is you are hoping for.
Occasionally I buy lottery tickets because I hope I will win the jackpot and be instantly wealthy but I have absolutely no control over the outcome. I can, however, control how much money I will plan to set aside toward my goals.
Another problem with hope is that you can actually start to believe that what you are hoping for is a goal that you have the power to achieve. How many people buy lottery tickets but don't save any money because in their heart of hearts, they really do believe that someday they will win the big one? Hope can be deceptive and it can keep you from doing the things that you can control.
I'm not saying that hope doesn't have merit. Sometimes hope is the spark that lights the fire under your butt to get you out of bed in the morning. I'm learning the importance, though, of keeping hope in perspective. If I continue to make my goals and my plans and create the life I want regardless of anything else that may or may not happen, I may even find, someday, that what I have is better than anything I might have hoped for.
