Disappointment

Disappointment is defined as: a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized.

Lately, I've been thinking about disappointment and my ownership in it. I realize that we have control over disappointment in our lives. Often, we set expectations about jobs, lovers, children and even ourselves. We have an agenda and when that agenda or expectation is not met, we feel such a sense of disappointment. So, are we setting ourselves up for disappointment when we place an expectation or agenda on something or someone over whom or which we have no control? I suspect we do. The only person or thing over which or whom we have control is ourselves.

Yet, I think it normal, even human to have expectations. It's how we handle it when those expectations, for whatever reason, are not met that is at the crux of the matter.

Think about these disappointment quotes:


The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.”

Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it.”

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

and my favorite:

“Ones best success comes after their greatest disappointments.”


Disappointments are a part of life. It's how we handle it and what follows it that truly matters.

T