When Expectations and Reality Clash

Hello!

It's been a minute!

I have A LOT to share....Hmmmm, where do I begin?!

This year, 2025, have taught me many things, one of which is how to respond when I don't get the results/outcome/answers and to know that everything will work out for my good.

Let me give you the background story: 

I started a job out of state this year. The position/title was something I had desired (admin role, not 100% direct patient care, in a federal government facility) on paper. When I started the job, there were some changes in the government policies regarding hiring, WFH, funding etc. that has changed the landscape of 'federal jobs'.

While all these were happening, this phrase (All I once held dear, built my life upon, All this world reveres and wars to own, All I once thought gain I have counted loss) from Graham Kendrick song 🎵(Knowing You/All I once held dear) came to my mind the entire first couple of weeks...I digress.

BUT it was the most stressful job I had ever taken, because of the travel involved plus the work environment.

However, being out of town for work allowed me time to reflect, pray, journal and meditate, for which I am grateful. I also had the opportunity to meet new people and see another part of the country.

So, about 7 months into the job, I was summoned about some complaints to which I thought were minor and I had explanations for, alas! I was wrong, I sought counsel and I was made to understand that the summons was a bid to gather evidence against me....Ah!

Well, with all my prayers, thanksgiving and everything, my cert. was not renewed, and I was let go...for the next 3 to 4 weeks after that, I was distraught, confused, full of questions

But God in His infinite mercy brought scriptures from different sources (devotionals, scripture of the day, sermons etc) :

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, to give a future and a hope

Fish Tank.

The Japanese Fish Story- By Mohammed Karjatwala

The Japanese have always loved fresh fish.

But the water close to Japan has not held much fish for decades.

So to feed the Japanese population, fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever.

The further the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring the fish

If the return trip took more time, the fish were not fresh.

To solve this problem, fish companies installed freezers on their boats.

They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea.

Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer.

However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen fish and they did not like the taste of frozen fish

The frozen fish fetched a lower price.

So, fishing companies installed fish tanks.

They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, fin to fin.

After a little thrashing around, they were tired, dull, and lost their fresh-fish taste.

The fishing industry faced an impending crisis!

But today, they get fresh-tasting fish to Japan.

How did they manage...?

To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks but with a small shark!

The fish are challenged and hence are constantly on the move.

The challenge they face keeps them alive and fresh!

Morale of the Story

Just like the fish in the tanks, most of us feel like we are living in a pond right now, in this lock-down period, feeling tired and dull most of the time.

Let's try and see this pandemic as a new challenge (the shark) 

to keep us positively active in all areas of our lives as much as possible.

This is because as humans we are wired to "conquer". If you are steadily conquering

challenges, you are happy.

Your challenges keep you energized.

You have the resources, skills, and abilities to make a difference..... despite the pandemic.

 xoxoxo.

photo credit: shutterstock