I was skimming through my copy of John Eldredge's book, Dare To Desire recently when I came across this quote; "Our lives are a collection of others expectations." How that seems so true these days. I bet it's less than one in ten of the people I know, that are happy with their life. Sadly, most of us don't realize that where we find ourselves today, is actually the result of those expectations.

Everyone else seems to think they know what's best for everyone else. Parents push kids into following in their footsteps instead of following their heart. Teachers and guidance counselors, mentors, community leaders, and loved ones, all have an opinion on what's best. I'm not suggesting we shouldn't seek advice, but when we allow others shoulds, and oughts dictate the direction of our lives without connecting into the deep desires of our own hearts, we run the risk of living our lives empty and unfulfilled. Someone once coined the appropriate phrase, "don't let anyone should on you."