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Target expectations and experiences

My son went to soccer try-outs today. For me, the soccer try-out signals the start of the soccer season, and of the new year proper.

The first few weeks of the school year are behind us, and my little ones are getting into a routine. 

A rhythm.

It feels like the year is stretching out before me, the commencement of a consistent blur.

The feeling that this year is already lining up like last year. That it is going to be the same. That the time is going to compress.

It feels like the same conversations are already being had.

How was your holidays?

Good, and yours?

Yeah it was good.

The mechanical rote of disengaged answers.

For me, this is a warning sign. 

If I want to look back on a year of amazing experiences, then I need to engage and fine tune my expectations.

If the start is already veering off from the experience destination I want to get to, then now is the time to adjust the course. 

I don't want to sit in the backseat and buy into a year with the expectation that it is going to be the same as last year.

I promised myself that the year that is ahead is going to be exciting.

Different is exciting, and I know that I want something exciting.

I yearn for something more.

And so as I reflect on the season try-out, and the way that I engaged again with faces new and old, I know that I am a part of this.

I was excited to engage with the new season, I realise that it is up to me to bring excitement.

The responsibility to steer the year is mine. 

At the end of the year, no matter the outcome, the year will be past.

Right now I have a unique opportunity. To lead or to follow.

I cannot expect eyes to shine when I show up if I do not bring shining eyes.

I need to bring that which I seek to experience.

Life is a lot like that.

You only get out what you put in.

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