#63 Expect Nothing

What if many of our frustrations and disappointments have less to do with God's will than with our own expectations? In this episode, I explore the difference between expectations and aspirations, and why that distinction has become increasingly important in my own life. Along the way, I reflect on Marcus Aurelius, Carol Dweck's concept of the "growth mindset," Pope St. John XXIII, and St. Alphonsus Liguori's Uniformity with God's Will. I also share stories from former students whose lives unfolded in ways neither of them expected, yet ultimately revealed a better path than they could have imagined. Together, these insights point toward a simple but challenging idea: aspire greatly, work diligently, and pray boldly, but hold your own timetable loosely enough that God remains free to surprise you. Perhaps real peace is found not in seeing our plans fulfilled, but in trusting the One who writes a better story than we could ever write ourselves.